Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Tuần 30 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Tuần 30 Thường Niên
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta hãy tự hỏi: Đã có bao giờ chúng ta đã từng nghĩ tới và đặt ra câu hỏi là: chúng ta là hạng người như thế nào? Có bao giờ chúng ta đã từng tự tôn mình lên trên người khác? Hay có bao giờ chúng ta đã thực sự quan tâm đến tới những người khác một cách chân tình, nghĩa là sẽ làm những gì mà chúng ta có thể làm để giúp người khác bất cứ khi nào chúng ta có thể làm được để đem được hạnh phúc đến cho họ?
    Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu nói rằng những ai muốn làm người đứng đầu, thì phải là người đứng sau, đứng cuối cùng của tất cả và là tôi tớ của tất cả mọi người. Có phải đó là ý của Chúa Giêsu muốn nói rằng đấy là cách để chúng ta đạt được tham vọng của chúng ta là phải được phục vụ? Không phải thế, thật ra, Chúa Giêsu không hề quan tâm đến việc chúng ta có đạt được tham vọng hay không! Nhưng Ngài muốn nói với chúng ta là phải làm như thế nào để được đứng đầu hay đến trước hết ngay trong trái Tim của Ngài, và ngay cả trong tâm hồn của người khác. Nếu chúng ta muốn là người đứng đầu trong trái Tim của Chúa Kitô, chúng ta phải là người tôi tớ của mọi người. Hơn nữa, nếu chúng ta có sự khiêm tốn để phục vụ người khác, chúng ta sẽ dễ dàng nhận ra được rằng: chúng ta cũng sẽ có một vị trí đặc biệt trong trái Tim của những người khác.
    Có lẽ chúng ta thường chỉ quan tâm đến những sự ước muốn và nhu cầu riêng của chúng ta hơn, Nhưng Chúa Giêsu muốn biến đổi tâm hồn chúng ta, để chúng ta cũng có thể trở thành người biết lo lắng, biết nghĩ đến người khác, và biết quan tâm, phục vụ người khác.
    Ngày hôm nay, chúng ta hãy xin Chúa Giêsu giúp chúng ta biết tập trung nhiều hơn vào những gì thực sự quan trọng, đó là sự quan tâm đối với những người khác, sự yêu thương những người khác hơn là sự tập trung vào những thứ hư vô, hay là chỉ biết làm việc và phục vụ riêng cho chính mình.
        
Reflection Saturday 30th Ordinary Time
Have we ever given any though on what kind of people we are? Do we promote ourselves? Or do we do show sincere concern for others, doing what we can, whenever we can, to help others in order to make them happy? In today's Gospel, Jesus said that those who want to be first must be the last of all and the servants of all. Is Jesus saying that the way to achieve our ambitions is to serve? Not at all. Jesus is not concerned with us achieving our ambitions. He is telling us how to be first in his heart, and even in the hearts of others. If we want to be first in Christ's heart, we must be a servant of all. Moreover, if we have the humility to serve others, we will realize that we also have a special place in other people's hearts.
    Perhaps we are often concerned only with our own wants and needs. But Jesus wants to transform us, so that we too can become caring people, concerned with serving others. Let us ask Jesus today to help us be more focused on what really matter — concern for others, loving others, rather than focusing on empty, self-serving actions.
 
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.” Luke 14:8–9
This is an interesting parable. First of all, it must be noted that a true saint would not be embarrassed by such a humiliation. Instead, they would happily give their seat of honor to another. In fact, they would most likely have immediately taken the “lowest” spot, since this form of worldly honor would mean nothing to them. But Jesus wasn’t speaking at this time to living saints. He was speaking to people who did struggle with desires for worldly esteem. This shows that the people to whom Jesus was speaking were also insecure and lacked healthy self-esteem.
What’s beautiful is that Jesus meets these people where they are at, telling them a parable to which they could relate. These were the guests who were present at a dinner being held by one of the leading Pharisees to which Jesus was also invited. Jesus’ point was to gently share with them the truth that humility was far better than pride. True exultation and honor is found by humbling oneself and elevating others as a way of pointing to their innate dignity and value as persons. This is a hard lesson to learn.
Most people, when in a group of people, will struggle with comparing themselves to others. “She’s prettier” or “He’s more successful” or “They are very educated,” etc. This common tendency often comes as a result of being personally insecure with who you are as a person. However, if you were able to completely be at peace with who you are, if you loved yourself in the way God loves you, then you would be much freer to love others, see their dignity, and even rejoice in the ways that they are successful and exalted.
Jesus concludes His parable by saying, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” To the normal secular mind, this can be a hard truth to grasp. It can be difficult to understand the great value of humility. But humility is simply seeing yourself in the light of truth, in the way God sees you. The humble person does not need the praise and esteem of others. God’s love for them is sufficient. For that reason, humble people not only love themselves as God loves them, but they are then free to turn their full attention to the good of others. This is pure love. And this love is only possible when humility is lived fully.
Reflect, today, upon this gentle teaching of Jesus, given to those who greatly lacked humility. Try to see Jesus’ concern for them and His desire not to embarrass them but to free them from the heavy burden of their insecurities. If you are one who struggles with this, reflect upon our Lord gently inviting you to embrace humility. Pray for this virtue and practice it with sincerity. Know that the attainment of this virtue will open the door to much freedom in your life.
My humble Lord, You knew Yourself with perfection and loved Your own sacred soul with the same love the Father in Heaven had for You. Please help me to discover who I am. Help me to see myself as You see me. May I never be burdened by the distorted desire for earthly honors and worldly esteem. Instead, I pray that this glorious gift of humility will live deeply in my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Saturday Luke 14:1, 7-11
Encountering Christ:
The Vanity Trap: How much time we waste by worrying what other people are thinking of us! Just like the guests at this dinner, we jostle and vie for approval, recognition, and popularity. Our Lord’s parable points out how such expenditure of energy is pointless—we simply cannot control the whims of others, the ebbs and flows of societal fashions. Something completely outside of our control could easily push us to the lowest seat at the table at any time. Jesus wants us to release these vain strivings. He wants us to direct our energy and our hopes to more worthy goals. Instead of trying to exalt ourselves, he encourages us to humble ourselves. This doesn’t mean thinking less of ourselves—we are still created in God’s image and redeemed by Christ, so our true value and worth are not in question. Rather, he wants us to think about ourselves less, to occupy our minds with other things, to be freed from vain self-absorption, which is a dead-end when it comes to spiritual growth and interior peace. This parable echoes one of Christ’s unforgettable exhortations in his Sermon on the Mount: But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you besides (Matthew 6:33).
The Good Roots of Bad Vanity: The sin of vanity, as all sin, involves the distortion of something good—in this case, something actually necessary. The human person needs to be loved, approved, valued, esteemed. We cannot flourish unless we know that we are valued just because of who we are. This need is built into our nature. The yearning to be valued and appreciated is a healthy yearning. After all, we are created in the image of God, who is a Trinity of Persons in an eternal exchange of love. To try and stifle the yearning for love would be to stifle our very humanity. The problem isn’t in the desire for appreciation, but in misplacing that desire. Our fallen nature is so insecure that we have a tendency to turn the desire to be valued into an idol as if being valued is the true goal of life instead of a necessary ingredient. When we do that, we can easily end up committing all kinds of evil acts just in order to remain in a particular person’s good graces. We will lie and gossip to get on someone’s good side. We will overextend ourselves to win someone’s approval. We may even subject our bodies to immoral activities just so we won’t be rejected by someone we are trying to impress or hold on to. In a desperate bid to be seen and valued by someone we care about, we can break every commandment. This is disordered. Jesus wants us to know that we never have to compromise our true identity as God’s children; we never have to disdain our innate human dignity to make ourselves loved, valued, and appreciated. This is because we already are loved, valued, and appreciated, infinitely, by God. Our faith tells us this. And so, the true path to interior peace and spiritual strength isn’t trying to win the approval of peers or bosses at any cost, but taking the time to exercise and nourish our faith, so that we see ourselves more and more constantly through God’s eyes.
An Odd Place for God: St. Luke presents us with an odd scene in today’s Gospel. A leading Pharisee is hosting a large social gathering—think of a catered cocktail and dinner party in a wealthy socialite’s mansion. And Jesus is there. And he engages in a series of interactions and conversations during this party in which he takes advantage of the circumstances to preach the Gospel, to reveal the eternal truths. Most of us wouldn’t consider this setting a typical place for God to reveal himself. And yet, there it is, right in St. Luke’s Gospel. Is it possible that Jesus is revealing himself to me, teaching me the lessons I most need to learn, in the middle of the normal scenes of my everyday life? Of course, it is! That’s how God works. As the Catechism reminds us (27): God never ceases to draw man to himself. God is reaching out to me always and everywhere: at home, at work, at dinner parties, on the golf course. The question is, am I looking for him there, or am I so preoccupied with my own equivalent of choosing the places of honor at the table that I simply can’t hear his voice?
Conversing with Christ: What do I really want, Lord? I say that I want you to have the first place in my heart, that I want to know and embrace your will, that I want your friendship to be the fulcrum of everything I am and everything I do. Yet, I don’t always think, speak, and act as if that were truly the case. Why not? I suspect other desires or fears are at work deep within me, desires and fears I may not even be fully aware of. Please reveal them to me, Lord, as painful as it may be. I don’t want anything to interfere with my following of you.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng -Lễ Kính Các Thánh 1/11

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng -Lễ Kính Các Thánh 1/11
Trong Tin Mừng Chúa Giêsu hôm nay cho chúng ta thấy rằng cuộc sống của Ngài là một cuộc sống trong Tám Mối Phúc Thật, và chúng ta cũng nên cập nhật cuộc sống chúng ta theo tinh thần của Tám Mối Phúc Thật. Trong các mối phúc thật, chúng ta có thể làm thành một bảng tóm tắt là “làm thế nào”, trong những giai đoạn khác nhau trong  cuộc sống của chúng ta, trong những tình huống và những sự thử thách khác nhau, và cách mà chúng ta phải cư xử theo nghĩa vụ riêng của mình.  Chúng ta được mời gọi để chấp nhận cuộc sống theo gương của Chúa Giêsu như chính Ngài đang sống ở giữa chúng ta.  Đó việc góp phần vào việc xây dựng nền móng cho của Nước Thiên Chúa mà Chúa Giêsu không ngừng mời gọi chúng ta.  
            Trong quá trình này, có rất nhiều sự khó khăn nhắc nhở chúng ta về sự cần thiết để thánh hoá và thanh lọc qua sự đầu hàng Thiên Chúa với tất cả những gì chúng ta đang có. Sự cam kết này phải được đánh dấu với niềm hy vọng như thư của thánh Gioan đã nói với chúng ta: “Tất cả những người có niềm hy vọng này dựa vào Ngài làm cho mình thanh tịnh, vì Ngài là đấng thật là tinh khiết"
            Chúng ta cũng được mời gọi để kiểm tra liên tục lại cuộc sống của chúng ta một cách thường xuyên mỗi ngày để chúng ta có thể khám phá ra những lĩnh vực trong của cuộc sống đang làm cản trở việc xây dựng Vương quốc của Thiên Chúa. Để đạt được điều này, Chúa Giêsu đến để mời gọi chúng ta tìm kiếm những hình ảnh của Thiên Chúa trong mọi sự, ngay cả trong những sự bất công hay bắt bớ. Trong khi chúng ta phải đối mặt với những tình huống này, chúng ta được chứng kiến lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa một cách nhân lành.
Xin Chúa, ban cho chúng con có được những ân sủng của Chúa để làm chứng cho tình yêu và lòng thương xót của Chúa trong tất cả những kinh nghiệm trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng con. Trong những khi chúng con phải đối diện với những trường hợp thử thách, xin giúp chúng con can đảm để chứng kiến lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa đối với chúng con.
 
Reflection
In today’s Gospel Jesus reveals to us that his life is a life of the Beatitudes and that we should also fashion our lives in the spirit of the Beatitudes. In the Beatitudes, we find a summary of how, in our different stages of life, in the different situations and challenges, we are supposed to behave. The behavior we are invited to adopt mirrors Jesus' life amongst us. It also contributes to the building of the foundations for the Kingdom of God to which Jesus constantly invites us. In this process, the many difficulties remind us of the need for purification through a total surrender to God. This commitment should be marked with hope as the first letter of John tells us: “everyone who has this hope based on Him makes himself pure, as He is pure.”
            We are also called to examine our lives constantly on a daily basis so as to discover those areas of our lives that hinder the building of the Kingdom of God. In order to achieve this, we are invited to seek the face of God in all things even in injustices or persecutions. As we face these situations, we are to witness meekly to the mercy of God.  Grant us, Lord, the grace to witness to Your love and mercy in all our daily life experiences
 
Solemnity of All Saints, November 1
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5: 1–3
Today we celebrate one of the most glorious solemnities within our Church! Every saint, canonized or not, is honored today. Our Gospel passage lays out the path by which these saints entered Heaven. While on earth, these great men and women lived lives that were poor in spirit, filled with a holy mourning, meekness, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercy, peace, purity of heart and even persecution. Each one of these Beatitudes concludes by stating the reward that those who lived these qualities obtains: Heaven, comfort, satisfaction, mercy, seeing God, being children of God and rewards beyond what we can imagine in God’s Kingdom.
The Beatitudes invite us to the heights of holiness. They are not for the faint of heart or for those living a lukewarm spiritual life. These Beatitudes present us with the pinnacle of holy living and challenge us to the core. But every effort put into living these Beatitudes are worth it here on earth and ultimately in Heaven. Let’s look briefly at two of these Beatitudes.
The second Beatitude states that those “who mourn…will be comforted.” This is an interesting Beatitude. Why is it holy to mourn? Simply put, this form of holy mourning means that you not only have a holy sorrow for your own sins but that you have this holy sorrow as you see the many evils within our world. This is crucial today. First, it should be quite obvious that we must have holy sorrow for our own sins. Doing so means your conscience is working. And when your conscience is working, you will be compelled, by this holy sorrow, to acknowledge your offenses against God and work diligently to change. But we must also have a holy sorrow as we see the many evils within our world. Too often today there is a tendency to undermine this Beatitude by presenting universal acceptance of all things as a good. We are told we must not judge, and though that is true when it comes to judging another’s heart, a worldly presentation of this secular “virtue” attempts to lead us to downplay the objective nature of sin. Our secular world tempts us to ignore many objective moral truths by which God guides us into all truth. But as Christians, our first approach must be to despise all that our Lord taught was objectively morally evil. And when we do come face-to-face with immoral lifestyles, the appropriate response must be holy sorrow, not acceptance of grave sin. To mourn over another’s poor choices is a true act of charity toward them.
The fourth Beatitude calls us to “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” This means that we not only have a holy sorrow over our sins and the objective evils of our world, but that we also allow ourselves to be filled with a hunger and thirst for truth and holy living. This drive must become a burning motivation within us to do all we can to further the Kingdom of God everywhere. This Beatitude enables us to overcome indifference, inspiring us to bring about change in the face of all opposition. And this drive is fueled by charity and every other accompanying virtue.
Reflect, today, upon the beautiful truth that you are called to become a saint. And the surest path to sainthood is the Beatitudes. Read them carefully. Meditate upon them and know that they reveal to you how God is calling you to live. If one of these Beatitudes stands out to you, then spend time focusing upon it. Work to internalize these graces, and God will work wonders in your life, one day making this solemnity within our Church a true celebration of your life well lived.
My most holy Lord, You reign now in Heaven and desire that Your glorious Kingdom be firmly established upon earth. Give me the grace I need to seek holiness with all my heart and to especially use Your revelation of the Beatitudes as the path by which I travel. I pray that I will become a true saint in this world and that You will use me to further Your Kingdom now and for eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Solemnity of All Saints, November 1-2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, guide me along the path that leads to true beatitude, to eternal life with you. Help me to overcome the temptation to seek primarily the fleeting happiness that comes from wealth and pleasure. May I truly imitate your Son, the very Incarnation of divine Beatitude!
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Eightfold Path to Beatitude (Happiness): Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount that there is an eightfold path to happiness or blessedness. If we want to be happy, we need to seek spiritual poverty instead of riches, offer up our suffering instead of seeking disordered pleasure, grow in meekness and humility instead of pride, seek righteousness instead of earthly honors, be merciful instead of envious, be pure of heart instead of duplicitous, be a peacemaker instead of a divider, and accept persecution due to our faith in Christ. This path to true happiness is a paradox. We do not normally think that those who mourn or those who are persecuted are happy and blessed. The world wants us to accept a great lie and equate happiness with amassing wealth, wielding power, and pursuing pleasure. Jesus, by contrast, wants us to see how humility, docility to the Spirit, trust in the Father’s care, justice, peace, purity, and mercy are the hallmarks of true happiness. Today, the Church invites us to contemplate the saints as models of those who followed Jesus’ eightfold path to happiness. We need to learn how we, with our unique personalities and lives, are called to the same holiness.
2. Salvation comes from our God and the Lamb: The Second Reading, from the Book of Revelation, is a reminder that our salvation and blessedness are not something we achieve through our efforts alone. Salvation is, first of all and above all, a divine gift. This means that it is initially unmerited. In fact, we did nothing to earn the grace we received in Baptism. Revelation 7:3 references how we have been sealed by God and protected from evil through Baptism. The waters of Baptism are how we become members of God’s people and how we are adopted into God’s family as his sons and daughters (Barber, Coming Soon, 107). When John, the author of the Book of Revelation, contemplates those who have been saved and dwell with God in the blessedness of heaven, he first sees 144,000. This number symbolizes a righteous remnant from the 12 tribes of Israel who have been saved. John then sees a great innumerable multitude from the Gentile nations. The saints from the 12 tribes and those from the Gentiles carry palm branches because they are celebrating their admittance into the heavenly Temple (Barber, Coming Soon, 112). They wear white robes because they have been delivered from the great tribulation.
3. We are God’s Children Now: The First Letter of John contemplates the great mystery of our divine adoption. Through our Baptism, we are now God’s children. This is an awesome gift, and yet something greater awaits us at the end of our earthly lives. Here, on earth, we walk by faith and often stumble as we walk along the eightfold path of the beatitudes. In heaven, our faith in God will give way to the vision of God: “for we shall see him as he is.” Here, on earth, we are drawn toward God by our hope in his promises. Not only do we hope in the promise of eternal life, but also in the promise that God will give us, through his Son, what we need to attain eternal life.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, bring me to trust in your Word today. I struggle to see how poverty, mourning, and meekness lead to happiness. I need to overcome my selfish tendencies and look to the needs of those around me. Help me to see and serve you in the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the poor, and the sick.
 
Solemnity of All Saints November 1, 2024 | Friday
Opening Prayer: Lord God, guide me along the path that leads to true beatitude, to eternal life with you. Help me to overcome the temptation to seek primarily the fleeting happiness that comes from wealth and pleasure. May I truly imitate your Son, the Incarnation of the Beatitudes!
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Eightfold Path to Happiness: Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount that there is an eightfold path to happiness or blessedness. If we want to be happy, we need to seek spiritual poverty instead of riches, offer up our suffering instead of seeking disordered pleasure, grow in meekness and humility instead of pride, seek righteousness instead of earthly honors, be merciful instead of envious, be pure of heart instead of duplicitous, be a peacemaker instead of a divider, and accept persecution due to our faith in Christ. This path to true happiness is most definitely a paradox. We do not normally think that those who mourn or that those who are persecuted are happy. The world wants us to accept a great lie and equate happiness with wealth, power, and pleasure. Jesus, by contrast, wants us to see how humility, docility to the Spirit, trust in the Father’s care, justice, peace, purity, and mercy are the hallmarks of true happiness. Today, the Church invites us to contemplate the saints as models of those who followed Jesus’ eightfold path to happiness. We need to learn how we, with our unique personalities and lives, are called to the same holiness.
2. Salvation comes from our God and the Lamb: The Second Reading, from the Book of Revelation, is a reminder that our salvation and blessedness are not something we achieve through our efforts alone. Salvation is, first of all, a divine gift. This means that it is unmerited. In fact, we did nothing to earn the grace we received in Baptism. Revelation 7:3 references how we have been sealed by God and protected from evil through Baptism. The waters of Baptism are how we become members of God’s people and how we are adopted into God’s family as his sons and daughters (Barber, Coming Soon, 107). When John, the author of the Book of Revelation, contemplates those who have been saved and dwell with God in the blessedness of heaven, he first sees 144,000. This number symbolizes a righteous remnant from the 12 tribes of Israel who have been saved. John then sees a great innumerable multitude from the Gentile nations. The saints from the 12 tribes and the Gentiles carry palm branches because they are celebrating their admittance into the heavenly Temple (Barber, Coming Soon, 112). They wear white robes because they have been delivered from the great tribulation.
3. We are God’s Children Now: The First Letter of John contemplates the great mystery of our divine adoption. Through our Baptism, we are now God’s children. This is an awesome gift, and yet something greater awaits us at the end of our earthly lives. Here, on earth, we walk by faith and often stumble as we walk along the eightfold path of the beatitudes. In heaven, our faith in God will give way to the vision of God: “for we shall see him as he is.” Here, on earth, we are drawn toward God by our hope in his promises. Not only do we hope in the promise of eternal life, but also in the promise that God will give us, through his Son, what we need to attain eternal life.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, bring me to trust in your Word today. I struggle to see how poverty, mourning, and meekness lead to happiness. I need to overcome my selfish tendencies and look to the needs of those around me. Help me to see and serve you in the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the poor, and the sick.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu tuần thứ 30 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu tuần thứ 30 Thường Niên
Là một Người Do Thái ngoan đạo, Chúa Giêsu tôn trọng luật pháp của Do Thái. Tuy nhiên, Ngài cũng chỉ ra cho chúng ta thấy rõ những trường hợp ngoại lệ mà mà luật lệ của con người quá khắt khe hơn luật của Thiên Chúa. Luật ngày Sa-bát là được làm ra không có nghĩa để làm khổ con người, được lập ra cho có lệ vì lợi ích riêng của một nhóm người giàu có, có học và làm khổ những người khác vì nghèo đói hay ít học.
Trong trường hợp ngày hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu thấy sự cần thiết để cứu chữa một người đang sống trong đau khổ vì sự tàn tật, đau bệnh trên thân xác lẫn tâm hồn…. Sự cần thiết để cứu chữa này sẽ giúp cho anh ta mau chóng vượt thoát được cái sự đau khổ chắc chắn là còn cần thiết phải thực hiện hơn là chỉ ngôi yên mà giữ luật cho đúng cách.
Luật được tạo ra là để duy trì và giúp cho xã hội và nhân loại được tốt đẹp hơn có nghĩ là Luật pháp cần phải được thực hành một cách đúng với sự công chính và trong cách vô tư, nếu như chúng ta thực hành luật pháp đúng theo như mặt đạo đức đó, thì Luật pháp chắc chắn sẽ để đem lại lợi ích cho tất cả mọi người, se trong thế giới của chúng ta sẽ có một nền hoà bình vĩnh cửu. Vì thế tất cả các những việc làm và hành động của chúng ta phải được thực hiện trong tình yêu, trong sự ngay thẳng và nghiêm minh, chính trực.
Lạy Chúa, xin lấp đầy chúng con với tình yêu của Chúa và đừng để cho chúng con phải bao giờ từ bất bình, phê phán với người khác, nhưng luôn luôn khoan dung và rộng lượng với người khác.
 
REFLECTION
As a devout Jew, Jesus respects the law. But, he also points out that there are exceptions to being too strict. The laws of the Sabbath were not meant to be followed for the sake of being followed. In today's instance, Jesus saw the need to cure the man with dropsy. The need to cure and help another outweighed the need to comply with the letter of the law.
Laws were created to maintain order. But love supersedes any law. If a greater good can be achieved from bending the law, then perhaps it should be done especially if doing so morally benefits others. All action should be done out of love
 
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. Luke 14:1
Jesus accepted an invitation from this prominent Pharisee to dine at his house. The people at the dinner were “observing him carefully.” It’s somewhat easy to picture the scene. For most people, being invited to a dinner with many strangers who are observing them carefully may leave them feeling quite uncomfortable and self-conscious. But Jesus showed up with perfect confidence and an unwavering commitment to share the Gospel. One thing we can learn from this dinner and Jesus’ disposition at it is that uncomfortable situations are actually great opportunities to share your faith. 
We will all have times when we are put in an uncomfortable situation. Imagine, for example, being invited to a party for a distant relative or a new neighbor. You decided to attend and knew that you would know very few people there. The tendency for those who are shy would be to show up, find someone they know, and then spend the rest of the time with that person. But consider what Jesus did. He probably knew very few people at this dinner. Jesus’ primary purpose in attending was not to just relax and have a fun time while He met new friends. Instead, His primary purpose was to preach His saving message to those in need. Thus, He went to those in need and did so with confidence.
Whether you are one who likes to socialize and meet new people, or are one who dreads such settings, consider the simple fact that these settings are wonderful opportunities to share your faith. Like our Lord, if you are willing to put yourself out there, entering situations that are new and unfamiliar, then you may start to discover that the opportunities abound. New settings and new people are new opportunities to evangelize. True, they are also opportunities to make new friends and enjoy yourself. But if you have a heart set on the desire to share the Gospel, then you will regularly look for new opportunities in which you can somehow share your faith with others.
Reflect, today, upon this simple Gospel scene of Jesus attending a dinner, with many people He did not know, for the purpose of sharing the faith with them. Imagine yourself joining our Lord at this meal. How would you have felt? Would you have been self-conscious and uncomfortable? Or would you have seen it as an opportunity to share the Gospel? Reflect upon how zealous you are in your efforts to evangelize others and recommit yourself to this holy endeavor. Tell our Lord you are ready and willing to be used by Him wherever He sends you and then try to see every new adventure and experience in life as a new opportunity to share Christ’s saving message with others.
My saving Lord, You desire that Your saving message be shared far and wide, to the ends of the earth. Please fill me with zeal for souls. Give me an unwavering desire to share the Gospel with everyone I meet. Please use me, dear Lord, in the way You desire, so that Your love and mercy will be brought to those in need. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time 2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, every Sunday, I praise you for your work of creation. Every Sunday, I praise you for sending your Son to redeem us from sin and death. Every Sunday, I thank you for sending your Spirit to sanctify your people and bring us into the heavenly Kingdom.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Curing on the Sabbath: Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and stops at the home of a leading Pharisee on the Sabbath to have a meal. This is the third time in the Gospel of Luke that he has a meal at the home of a Pharisee (see Luke 7:36 and 11:37). Once again, the question about working and healing on the Sabbath arises. In today’s passage, there is a contrast between the “leading Pharisee” and the “man suffering from dropsy.” Dropsy was a condition often associated in the ancient world with insatiable thirst. The man with dropsy thirsts for water, but the leading Pharisee thirsts for honor. Jesus often corrects the Pharisaical view of religious practice and asks whether it is lawful to cure on the Sabbath (Luke 6:9). Once again, Jesus uses the teaching technique of the lower to the greater: If you can pull a son or ox out of a cistern on the Sabbath (see Deuteronomy 22:4), then why can’t you pull a man out of dropsy on the Sabbath. This alludes to the original purpose of the Sabbath to commemorate God’s rest and the call of human beings to share in this divine rest and life.
2. The Children of Israel: Today, in the First Reading, we begin to read Romans 9-11, one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament to understand. In these three chapters, Paul begins a profound theological meditation on God’s unwavering faithfulness to his covenant promises. Paul concentrates on the promise to restore the twelve tribes of Israel, even as the Gentiles are being included in salvation history. In Romans 9, Paul anguishes over unbelieving Israel and their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. In his anguish, Paul knows that the Scriptures testify to God’s sovereign election through figures like Jacob and Esau. Jacob and Esau were both grandsons of Abraham. Jacob represents the faithful remnant, and Esau those who reject the Lord and his plan. The faithful remnant of Israel is also exemplified by the 7,000 faithful Israelites in Elijah’s day. Even though the majority of the northern Kingdom of Israel was worshipping false gods, there was a small, but faithful, remnant of 7,000. This faithful core prefigures the Church’s role in fulfilling Israel’s vocation. Romans 10 shifts to the universality of righteousness by faith and Paul’s typological reading of Deuteronomy 30. The chapter contrasts the law’s external demands with the Incarnate Word’s nearness in Christ, accessible through confession and belief that unites heart and mouth in covenant obedience. Israel’s partial “stumble” over accepting Jesus as the Messiah paradoxically provokes jealousy, spurring the Gospel’s spread to the Gentiles, while affirming that salvation remains rooted in Israel’s scriptures and calling.
3. All Israel will be Saved: In Romans 11, Paul contemplates the mystery of Israel’s temporary hardening as a divine strategy to graft Gentiles into the olive tree of Israel. This ensures the fullness of both peoples’ ingathering into the Kingdom before Christ’s return, culminating in the triumphant declaration that “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). Drawing on the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, Paul says that “all Israel will be saved,” but this doesn’t mean that each individual Israelite will be saved, but that the Israelites scattered among the Gentile nations will be brought into the Church and the salvation of Jesus Christ. In Romans 11:33-36, Paul defers to divine wisdom and reminds his readers that God’s plan offers mercy to all – Jews and Gentiles alike. Paul warns against arrogance and urges humility, support for Israel, and hope in covenant restoration as the capstone of salvation history.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have revealed profound mysteries about salvation. I trust that you will bring me to share in the salvation you have merited for us. Raise me up with your grace and enable me to love as you did.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm 30th Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm 30th Thường Niên - Luca 13:31-35

Trong bài tin mừng hôm nay, Thánh Luca cho chúng ta thấy rằng những người Biệt Phái không phải là những người xấu cả và cũng có một số ít trong số những người biệt phái này đã có cảm tình với Chúa Giêsu và đến báo cho Ngài biết về mối nguy hại sẽ xẩy đến với Ngài. Không cần nghi ngờ, chúng ta đều biết không phải tất cả những người Biệt Phái là thánh cả, như trong phần trước của bài tin mừng hôm nay, Thánh Luca, đã cho chúng ta nghe Chúa Giêsu giảng: " Anh em đừng xét đoán, thì anh em sẽ không bị Thiên chúa xét đoán." (Lk.6 : 37).

Người Biệt Phái là những người rất sùng đạo. Lỗi của họ là vì họ đã quá đạo đức và quá thận trọng với cái vỏ bề ngoài của luật lệ, nhưng Chúa Giêsu đã không chỉ trích họ về những điều đó. Cái sai lầm lớn nhất của họ là họ để tự rơi vào cái bẫy mà họ thường xuyên phải đối mặt đó là tự cho mình là những người đạo đức, rồi đâm cuồng tín và tỉ mỉ. Sự nhiệt tình của họ dễ dàng trở nên cố chấp, không biết khoan dung. Họ đã sẵn sàng áp đặt gánh nặng lên mọi người sự nghiêm ngặt, khắt khe trong các lề luật Thiên Chúa theo cách riêng của họ, mà họ quên rằng Thiên Chúa là đấng đầy lòng nhân từ, thương xót và dịu hiền, bởi vì Ngài biết không phải tất cả chúng ta luôn luôn có thể sống và tuân giữ từng những chi tiết nhõ trong lề luật của Thiên Chúa để đạt được lý tưởng trong sự thánh thiện.

Trong bài thánh thư gởi cho Ê-phê-sô chúng ta đọc hôm nay, Thánh Phaolô thúc giục chúng ta nên dùng chân lý sự thật, công bằng và lòng nhiệt thành để truyền bá Tin Mừng hòa bình của Chúa. Chúng ta có thể có được lòng nhiệt thành, sốt sắng như những người Biệt Phái, nhưng lòng nhiệt thành của chúng ta phải được sinh động bởi sự thật và công lý, vì chúng ta phục vụ Tin Mừng bình an của Thiên Chúa.

Lạy Chúa Cha trên trời, sự kiên nhẫn của Chúa chính là cơ hội cho chúng con được cứu rỗi. Xin Chúa ban cho chúng con một tinh thần kiên nhẫn khoan dung, khiêm nhường và rèn tôi lòng nhiệt thành của chúng con trong sự thật và công bằng.

 

Thursday -30th Week in Ordinary Time (Rom. 8:31-39)

Luke shows us that the Pharisees were not evil men and that at least some of them were sympathetic to Jesus and warned him of danger. No doubt, not every single Pharisee was a saint, but earlier in this chapter 13 of Luke’s gospel we heard Jesus’ teaching: “Do not judge and you will not be judged yourselves” (Lk.6:36). The Pharisees were very religious people. Their fault was that they were too religious and scrupulous, but that did not of itself merit Jesus’ criticism of them. Their greatest fault was that they fell into the trap frequently facing such over-religious and scrupulous people: their zeal easily become intolerance. They easily imposed on others their own strict fidelity to the Law of God, forgetting that God is merciful and kind since not all of us can always in every single detail attain to the ideal of holiness.

Today’s passage from Ephesians urges us to use truth, justice and zeal to propagate the Gospel of peace. We may be as zealous as the Pharisees, but our zeal must be animated by truth and justice, for we serve the Gospel of peace.

Heavenly Father, Your patience is our opportunity to be saved. Grant us a spirit of patience and tolerance and temper our zeal with truth and justice

 

Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!” Luke 13:34

It’s helpful to ponder the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His heart is one that is strong and gentle, compassionate and just, merciful and truthful. In this Gospel passage, we are given a glimpse of Jesus’ love for the people of Jerusalem. He was not expressing His love for the city, but for the people in the city. It is clear that His deepest desire, His strong yearning, was that they allow Him to draw them close to Him so that He can protect them from all evil.

Jesus begins by speaking the word “Jerusalem” twice. This expresses deep compassion for the people of that city. It also expresses a lament that they have not turned to Him, remaining unwilling to change. Their refusal began long before Jesus walked the earth when their forefathers rejected the call of the prophets to repent and turn back to God. The stubbornness of their fathers continued with the people of Jesus’ day, and He experienced their rejection. This rejection did not lead Jesus to anger or condemnation as much as it led Him to holy sorrow.

The image of a hen gathering her brood under her wings is a lovely image to meditate upon. A mother hen protects her chicks with great courage and without concern for her own safety. When danger approaches, she extends her wings and covers the vulnerable chicks to protect them. Jesus uses this motherly image to express His desire to protect not only the people of Jerusalem, but all of us.

If Jesus yearned to gather the people together under his “wings” to protect them, then we should know, with certainty, that we need our Lord’s protection. He would not desire something that was unnecessary. He is not an overly protective God Who irrationally worries about His children. His concern is real and necessary, and we must know that we need His protection.

As you go about your daily life, do you feel as though you can handle life on your own? Do you act as an independent child who wants to separate yourself from the safety of your parents? Though we must all work to become responsible in life, we will never arrive at a point where we no longer need the protection of our loving God. The world in which we live is filled with dangers from which only God can protect us.

At the beginning of today’s Gospel, Jesus referred to Herod as a “fox.” That image must be seen in the context of Jesus desiring to act as a mother hen, protecting her brood. Jesus was told that Herod was trying to kill Him, but He clearly was not afraid of Herod. Of Herod’s desire to kill Jesus, Jesus said, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.’” As a protector, Jesus took authority over demons, performed healings and opened the gates of Heaven by rising from the dead on the third day. As we go through life, there will be many demons who seek to attack us. We will need many forms of healing, and without the gift of Jesus’ triumph over death itself, we will not be led to the glories of Heaven. Demons are real. Wounds are real. And the need for a Savior is real.

Reflect, today, upon the image of Jesus acting as a mother hen, extending His wings over you to protect you from the many temptations and diabolical attacks you will encounter in this world. Ponder the fact that you need His daily protection. The demons will never stop their attacks. Mental, emotional and spiritual wounds need His healing. Jesus is the only one Who can protect you and heal you so that He can then pour forth the gift of eternal life. Remain under His protective care, and allow Him to fulfill the yearnings of His Sacred Heart.

My compassionate Lord, You yearn to protect me from the many evils in this world. You yearn to heal me of the wounds my sins have caused. And You yearn to bestow upon me the gift of eternal life. I accept Your protection, dear Lord, and pray for the healing I need. Please cover me always and bestow upon me the gift of eternal life. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Thursday 30^th in Ordinary time 2025

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I am in awe when I contemplate the great mystery of salvation. You did not abandon us when we sinned against you. You sent your Son out of love to save us from sin and redeem us. Bring me home and guide me every step of the way.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Jesus’ Purpose: The Pharisees are often presented as Jesus’ foes, but, in today’s Gospel, they try to help him. It is possible, however, that the Pharisees were only doing this hypocritically. They figured that they could get rid of Jesus by threatening him with news about Herod “the fox.” And maybe that is why Jesus tells them to go back to Herod. But Jesus doesn’t give up on the Pharisees. He offers them an insight into his identity, mission, and destiny. Jesus refers to the signs he has been performing. The healings and exorcisms are all signs that he is the Christ promised by the prophets and that the age of salvation has begun. Jesus also alludes to his destiny. He will be killed as a prophet in Jerusalem and, “on the third day,” accomplish his purpose. We, as Christians, know that the third day is the day of Jesus’ resurrection. His purpose is our salvation, redemption, sanctification, and glorification. 

2. Your House will be Abandoned: Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem and contemplates the history and destiny of the holy city. As regards its history, Jerusalem has refused to listen to the prophets God sent. God sent the great prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah to bring the city back to him, but the people refused to listen. Jeremiah especially prophesied the fall of Jerusalem. The prophet Ezekiel saw the Spirit of the Lord abandon the Temple and dwell among the people in exile. All three prophets, however, foretold in different ways the restoration of the people of God, the establishment of a New Covenant, and the coming of the Lord and his Kingdom. The old Jerusalem will be abandoned, and the old covenant will come to an end. The New Jerusalem and the New Covenant will be inaugurated and established through Jesus. It is best to see this transition as a bringing to fulfillment rather than a replacement. Yes, the old house of God in Jerusalem “made with human hands” will be destroyed, but the new House of God, not made with hands, will be established. The Church is the seed and beginning of this new House of God! And we are members of this household and living stones in this new Temple.

3. The Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord: In the First Reading, Paul has been arguing that  God is a loving Father who is on the side of his children. “Believers cannot reasonably doubt his love or commitment, given what he has already done for them through the joint ministries of the Son and the Spirit. And since no creature is his equal and no worldly power can thwart his purposes, it follows that no one and nothing arrayed against us can hope to rob us of our inheritance in Christ” (Hahn and Mitch, Romans, 144). Abraham did not spare his son Isaac, and God the Father did not spare his only begotten Son. In this way, Abraham in the Old Testament foreshadows the actions of the Father in the New Covenant. Just as Abraham held nothing back, so also God the Father held nothing back to achieve our salvation. God is the one who justifies us and sent his Son to die for us, be raised for us, and rule and intercede at his right hand for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you willingly offered yourself as a sacrificial victim to save us from sin and death. You love us and have welcomed us into your divine family as your brothers and sisters. Teach me to be a docile child in the Father’s house.

Suy niệm Tin Mừng thứ Tư tuần thứ 30 Thường Niên

Suy niệm Tin Mừng thứ Tư tuần thứ 30 Thường Niên

Ngày nay, chúng ta không thể nói với người làm phải vâng tuân theo chủ nhân của họ. Chúng ta thấy chế độ nô lệ dưới mọi hình thức như là một tội ác và không thể chấp nhận được và chúng ta phải tìm mọi cách và tất cả mọi thứ trong khả năng của mình để bãi bỏ nó. Nhưng những người Ephêsô vẫn còn quan trọng hoá và cố vượt thời gian để

thực hiện.

Bất kể mọi tình huống chúng ta có thể tự thấy chính mình đang làm chứng cho ​​Chúa Giêsu trong cách sống của chúng ta. Việc chúng ta sống trong một môi trường ngột ngạt hay có một ông chủ bất công không quan trọng, chúng ta phải luôn biết hy vọng và là ngọn hải đăng chiếu ánh sáng. Bằng cách biểu lộ cách sông của Chúa Giêsu trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta, chúng ta có thể gây ảnh hưởng sâu đậm đến những người khác. Và chưa chừng biết đâu, chúng ta thậm chí có thể làm cho những người áp bức chúng ta phải biến đổi! Đức tin không thể được coi như là sự đương nhiên. Thánh Luca nói với chúng ta rằng việc thường xuyên đến với Chúa Giêsu hoặc cứ đến nhà thờ chưa chắc đã bảo đảm được quyền làm con trong mắt Chúa.

Có nhiều người trong chúng ta đã tự mãn và chắc chắn rằng họ đã làm trọn bổn phận tinh thần, những những người ấy sẽ tự thấy mình ở dưới đáy cùng. Cũng có những người gặp phải những khó khăn và thất bại nhưng biết đứng lên tiếp tục cuộc hành trình trong đức tin; họ sẽ được nâng lên. Cho dù cửa nước Trời của Thiên Chúa thực sự là hẹp nhỏ, nhưng với tình yêu thương, lòng khiêm tốn, và sự phục vụ có thể giúp chúng ta vượt qua.

Nếu như tôn giáo mà chỉ nói mà không có hành động hay việc làm và nếu chúng ta thiếu yếu tố quan trọng đó thì việc nghe lời Thiên Chúa có nghĩa là làm theo lời của Chúa; Hai điều này không thể tách rời nhau được. Cách thức để sống theo Chúa mỗi ngày của chúng ta là chúng ta phải biết kiểm tra cách sống của chúng ta là hãy xem chúng ta đã có lắng nghe lời Chúa qua Phúc Âm như thế nào.

Lạy Chúa, xin giúp chúng con biết dùng cuộc sống của chúng con để phản ánh lời của Ngài.

 

Reflection Wednesday Week in Ordinary Time

Today, we would not tell slaves to obey their masters. We see slavery in any form as an intolerable evil and we would do everything in our power to abolish it. But Ephesians still has an important and timeless point to make. Regardless of the situation we find ourselves in we can witness to Jesus by our way of life. It doesn’t matter if we live in an oppressive environment or have an unjust boss we should always be a beacon of light and hope. By demonstrating the way of Jesus in our everyday life we can have a profound effect on others. Who knows, we might even convert our oppressors!

Faith cannot be taken for granted. Luke tells us that familiarity with Jesus or going to church in themselves are no guarantee of being right in the eyes of the Lord. There are many who are self-satisfied and sure that they have it made spiritually who will find themselves at the bottom. There are also those who struggle and fall but continue to walk in faith — they will be lifted up. The door of the kingdom of God is narrow indeed — only love, humility, and service can fit through.

All of the religious talk and activity in the world is of little use if we are lacking that important element. Hearing the word of God means doing the word of God; the two cannot be separated. The manner of our everyday life is the test of how well we have listened. Lord, may my life reflect Your word.

 

Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Luke 13:27

We should definitely take our Lord’s words spoken above to heart. It’s easy to presume we will be saved. It’s easy to simply presume that God is kind and that we are good people at heart and, therefore, salvation is assured. But that’s not what Jesus says.

So who will be saved? When we get to Heaven, God willing, we may be surprised at who is saved and who is not. This is clearly one of the messages of today’s Gospel. Jesus even goes so far to say that some, when they die, will assume they are going to enter into Heaven but will hear our Lord say to them, “I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!” Again, we should take these words to heart.

One of the most dangerous sins we can fall into is presumption. Presumption is deadly because it has a double effect upon us. First, the person caught in presumption is one who has committed mortal sin but has not repented of it. But the presumptuous person also remains incapable of repentance because they refuse to acknowledge their sin. Their conscience is not working. They have blinders on and expect God to wear those same blinders. But God sees all things and judges accordingly.

The “narrow gate” of which Jesus speaks is a simile used by Jesus to tell us that it is not easy to obtain Heaven. It requires a concerted effort on our part as well as the infinite mercy of God. But regarding our part, the attainment of Heaven is only possible if we intentionally seek out the will of God and respond generously to Him. First, that means we confess and turn away from our sins. But from there, it means that we make every effort to fulfill God’s will in our lives.

If this is hard to accept, simply remind yourself that this teaching came directly from Jesus Himself. He is absolutely clear and means what He says. If that fills you with a sort of holy fear, then that is a good thing. “Holy fear” is a gift by which we have a well-ordered conscience that is able to identify those things in our lives that have become immovable obstacles to eternal salvation. The same well-ordered conscience will lead us to that narrow gate which is the only path to eternal life.

Reflect, today, upon the fact that we must all take eternal salvation seriously. If you find that you have become lax in your spiritual life, then use this Gospel as a motivation to change. Do not allow yourself to be one of those knocking at the gates of Heaven, only to realize that our Lord does not know you. Do all you can to eradicate the sin of presumption from your life, and your reward will be truly great in Heaven.

My most merciful Lord, You and You alone can open the gates of Heaven to us, and You and You alone will do so only to those who have responded to Your holy will. Please open my eyes to any ways that I turn from You and remain lax in my spiritual journey. Give me the grace I need to see clearly and to respond to You with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Reflection Wednesday Week in Ordinary Time 2025

Opening Prayer: Lord God, show me the path that leads through the narrow gate! Guide each of my steps as I walk toward you. Strengthen me with your grace as I attempt to enter through the narrow gate.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Mission of Jesus and the Cost of Discipleship: In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem takes up ten chapters (Luke 9:51-19:44) and can be divided into four parts. Each part has a theme that culminates in Jesus’ identity as the Messiah in Part Four. We have been reading the first part of the journey throughout the entire month of October. The main theme of the first part is the nature of Jesus’ prophetic and divine mission, as well as the demanding cost of discipleship (Luke 9:57-62). When Jesus sends out the seventy-two (Luke 10:1-24), it underscores how Jesus’ disciples share in the mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and teachings on prayer (Luke 11:1-3) and true blessedness (Luke 11:27-28), focus on love, mercy, and devotion to God as central to discipleship. Jesus confronts hypocrisy and warns of judgment (Luke 11:37-12:12), while parables like the Rich Fool (Luke 12:12-21) critique materialism, emphasizing trust in God. The First Part concludes with parables of the mustard seed and yeast (Luke 13:18-21), illustrating the subtle yet transformative growth of the Kingdom of God. This part establishes Jesus’ mission as purposeful and urgent, calling disciples to radical commitment amid challenges. Each year, when we read this section of the Gospel of Luke, we are called to that same radical commitment.

2. The Kingdom of God and Its Demands: Today, we begin to read the second part of Jesus’ journey (Luke 13:22-17:10). This part focuses on the nature of God’s Kingdom and the response it requires, with an emphasis on universal inclusion, repentance, and humility. Today’s image of the narrow door (Luke 13:22-30) warns that entry into the Kingdom requires repentance and faith, yet it is universally open to all, including unexpected outsiders. Over the next two weeks, we will read this second part and hear Jesus lament over Jerusalem (Luke 13:31-55) and express sorrow for Jerusalem’s rejection of God’s prophets. Jesus will heal on the Sabbath (Luke 14:1-6) and teach on humility at banquets (Luke 14:7-14). This emphasizes the Kingdom’s values of compassion and humility over Pharisaic legalism and worldly status. Parables like the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24) and teachings on the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-33) stress that the Kingdom demands total allegiance, even at personal cost. The Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-32) highlight God’s joy in seeking and restoring the lost, emphasizing grace and repentance. The Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-13) and the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) critique the misuse of wealth and call for faithfulness and compassion. Teachings on forgiveness, faith, and humble service (Luke 17:1-10) underscore the attitudes required of Kingdom participants. In the end, this part emphasizes the universality, yet demanding nature of God’s Kingdom, calling for repentance, humility, and faithful stewardship. While the First Part invites us to become disciples committed to Jesus’ universal mission, the Second Part calls us to humble and faithful stewardship in the Kingdom of God.

3. Predestination, Vocation, Justification, and Glorification: In the First Reading, Paul speaks about the eternal plan of God for humanity: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” From all eternity, God the Father knew how human history would unfold and how he would send his Son to redeem humanity. Even though our first parents rejected God’s plan and disobeyed God, God did not abandon us. Through his Son, he extended the offer of divine adoption. God’s eternal knowledge of those who will be saved is called “predestination.” Those he predestined are also called and moved to welcome his divine grace. Those who welcome God’s grace are justified and placed in a right relationship with God. And those who persevere in his grace until the end are glorified and reign in heaven with God.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have welcomed me into your Father’s house. I belong to the household of God! What an awesome, unmerited grace! Walk with me along the path that leads to and through the narrow gate of salvation.

Suy niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba tuần thứ 30 Thường Niên

Suy niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba tuần thứ 30 Thường Niên

Hạt cải và men làm bánh mì có thể dạy cho chúng ta những gì về vương quốc của Thiên Chúa?

Như chúng ta biết hạt cải là hạt rất nhỏ, nhỏ nhất trong các loại hột. Nhưng khi hột được gieo vào đất tốt đã được cuốc xới bón phân tốt, nước tưới đầy đủ, hạt cải nhỏ bé sẽ nẩy mầm và phát triển lớn lên thành bụi lớn và thu hút được nhiều loài chim, vì sự chăm sóc, tưới bón của người trồng, nên dù hạt cải đen nhỏ, đã trở thành vườn cải tốt tươi với cành lá xum xuê đến nỗi chim trời có thể làm tổ. Vương quốc của Thiên Chúa cũng tương tự. Nó bắt đầu được chớm nở từ sự khởi ban đầu rất nhỏ nhen trong trái tim của người chúng ta bằng sự tiếp nhận Lời của Thiên Chúa.

Hành trang để được vào nước trời cũng giống như là bột men làm bánh, Đó là đức tin, đức tin được chớm nở trong trái tim của mỗi người chúng ta bằng sự tiếp nhận Lời của Thiên Chúa. Đức tin đó hoạt động vô hình và gây biến chuyển và đổi thay từ bên trong, Men là một tác nhân mạnh mẽ của sự thay đổi. Một cục bột còn lại chính nó vẫn chỉ là một cục bột. Nhưng khi men được thêm vào để bột bánh được phồng lên và khi đút vào lò nướng đó sản xuất bánh mì thơm ngon và đó là chủ yếu cho cuộc sống đối với con người.

Đức tin sẽ biến đổi những ai đã được đón nhận cuộc sống mới mà Chúa ban cho vì khi chúng ta dâng lên Chúa cuộc sống của chúng ta. Thì cuộc sống của chúng ta sẽ được biến đổi bởi sức mạnh của Chúa Thánh Thần đấng đang ngự trong chúng ta. Thánh Phaolô có nói, "kho tàng này, chúng tôi lại chứa đựng trong những bình sành, để chứng tỏ quyền năng phi thường phát xuất từ Thiên Chúa, chứ không phải từ chúng tôi. (2 Cô-rinh-tô 4:7). Hãy đặt niềm tin của chúng ta vào sức mạnh và sự biến đổi của Chúa Thánh Thần

 

Meditation Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

What can mustard seeds and leaven teach us about the kingdom of God? The tiny mustard seed literally grew to be a tree which attracted numerous birds because they loved the little black mustard seed it produced. God's kingdom works in a similar fashion. It starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of men and women who are receptive to God's word. And it works unseen and causes a transformation from within. Leaven is another powerful agent of change. A lump of dough left to itself remains just what it is, a lump of dough. But when the leaven is added to it a transformation takes place which produces rich and wholesome bread when heated – the staple of life for humans. The kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive the new life which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield to Jesus Christ, our lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Paul the Apostle says, "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Do you believe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and transform me into the Christ-like holiness you desire. Increase my zeal for your kingdom and instill in me a holy desire to live for your greater glory."

 

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” Luke 13:18–19

This short parable should speak to many people far more than they realize. It should be a source of great encouragement to us all as we seek to build up the Kingdom of God through apostolic works.

The mustard seed is very small. At first, when someone holds it in their hand, they may not think much of it. But if they did plant it under ideal conditions, that seed could grow into a tree upwards of 20 feet tall.

Jesus uses this parable to teach us many lessons. One such lesson is that of our apostolic works of charity. When you think of the call of being an apostle for the Lord, spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth, what comes to mind? Perhaps the first thought is of those who have been entrusted with a very large, public and vibrant ministry. In this case, it is easier to see the good fruit born of one’s apostolic works. But what about you? For most people, they may strive to love and serve others in every small way they can, and they fail to see the abundance of good fruit born from their efforts. When this happens, some may become discouraged and lose zeal for the spreading of the Gospel.

If this is you, then consider the mustard seed. Planting this small seed is representative of much of our apostolic endeavors. God calls us to do small acts of kindness, share our faith in subtle and even hidden ways, serve out of love even when it is unnoticed, and to do so without ceasing. Do these small acts bear fruit for the Kingdom of God? If you believe this parable of the mustard seed, then the answer must be a resounding “Yes.”

Many times in life, we will never see the full effects that our actions have on others. Our negative influence will affect them far more than we realize. And our loving acts of charity, by which we share our faith, will also affect people far more than we realize. Believing in the message of this Parable of the Mustard Seed should lead us to believe that planting those small seeds of faith, through our charity, virtues, and words, will indeed bear an abundance of good fruit, far more than we may ever know, until we enter the glories of Heaven. 

Reflect, today, upon your duty to daily plant the smallest seeds of faith and love. Do not get discouraged if your efforts do not bear abundantly obvious fruit. Simply commit yourself to the planting, over and over. Take delight in sowing the seed of faith and see this as your mission. If you do this throughout your life, from Heaven you will look back and be amazed at how God powerfully brought forth His Kingdom through those seemingly insignificant acts of faith and love.

My glorious King, You desire that Your Kingdom grow far and wide through our efforts of love. Please do use me, dear Lord, to plant Your seeds of faith and charity every day. May I never tire of these apostolic endeavors and may I always take great delight in serving You and building Your Kingdom in every way I can. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time 2024

Opening Prayer: Lord God, your Kingdom has grown throughout the world and welcomed all nations, and yet it needs to continue to grow in the world. I beg you today: Reign in my heart! Reign in my family! Reign in my community!

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Mustard Seed and the Kingdom: One way to understand Jesus’ parables is as comparisons. Jesus teaches that just as the mustard seed is small and grows into a large shrub, so the Kingdom of God will begin with a small group in Galilee and Jerusalem but grow to international dimensions throughout human history. As well, just as the mustard seed was not normally something you would plant in your garden, as it is a very invasive plant, so also the Kingdom of God is not a normal kingdom and will spread throughout the garden of the world. And just as the fully grown mustard plant can welcome the birds of the sky, the Kingdom of God, when fully grown, will welcome people from every nation and will not be exclusive to Israel and Judah. We can also discern a contrast in Jesus’ parable. Adam and Eve were cast out of the first garden, Eden, because of their sin and were unable to eat from the old Tree of Life. By contrast, in the Kingdom of God, sinners are welcomed into the new garden planted by the New Adam, Jesus Christ. Sins are forgiven, and those who dwell in the new garden of the Kingdom are given to eat from the new Tree of Life, the Eucharist.

2. Yeast and the Kingdom: In the second parable, Jesus compares the effect of the Kingdom of God in the world to the effect of yeast in the dough. There is a difference between the leaven or yeast of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1) and the leaven or yeast of the Kingdom. The leaven of the Pharisees is their hidden hypocrisy that Jesus calls out and brings into the light. By contrast, the leaven of the Kingdom of God is the grace and charity of the Spirit that is hidden and invisible in the dough of society. Although hidden, the effects of divine grace will soon be manifested. Unlike the leaven of the Pharisees, which corrupts and produces bad fruit, the leaven of the Kingdom will bring about a more just and charitable society. The poor will be cared for, the hungry will be fed, sinners will repent, and men and women will come to know and love the God who created and redeemed them.

3. Be Subordinate to One Another: In the First Reading, from the Letter to the Ephesians, Paul proclaims the great mystery and sacrament of marriage. Paul emphasizes the need for mutual love, mutual subordination, and respectful deference in a marriage but also exhorts wives and husbands distinctly. He implicitly recognizes how men and women normally manifest characteristic differences – psychologically, biologically, physically, emotionally – and yet complement one another. Unlike other first-century writers, who exhorted a wife to obey her husband as a slave to a master, Paul approaches marriage differently. He looks to the relationship between Christ and his bride, the Church, as his model. He speaks of mutual deference instead of unilateral obedience. He invites the married couple to sacrificial love instead of control and domination of one by the other.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your word is a seed planted in my heart. I want it to grow and flourish. I want to be transformed by your word. I want to transform the world around me through justice, charity, and mercy. Enlighten my mind to know your Gospel principles and how to apply them in my life.

 

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - Luke 13:18-21

Opening Prayer: In today’s psalm you remind me of the experience of your Chosen People in exile. How could they have continued to hope in your promise of redemption when they found themselves oppressed and helpless in foreign lands for decade after decade? And yet, you did fulfill your promise, and wonderfully brought them back, and then their mouth was filled with laughter and their tongue with rejoicing. I often feel that I am in exile, far from my true homeland. My heart aches for lasting peace and joy. And I come to you this day to renew my hope in you and to ask for the grace I need to continue my journey through this valley of tears.

Encountering Christ:

Visualizing the Invisible: Christ’s parables make visible in our minds realities that, in themselves, are invisible. They are, in a certain sense, echoes of his own Incarnation, through which the invisible God became visible in Jesus. We need these parables. The invisible realities are the ones we most need to keep firm as the reference points of our lives. If we can’t visualize them somehow, we tend to forget them, and we lose those reference points. That’s when we get lost and go astray. We should love these parables, then, as fuel for our hope, the hope that propels us forward on the journey of life. As St. Paul mentions in today’s first reading: For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance (Romans 8:24-25). This virtue of hope is in short supply in our postmodern, secularized world. That world is shortsighted; it expects perfect happiness to result from the right combination of consumer products, digital popularity, exercise routines, and entertainment subscriptions. It has no place for, and no way to comprehend, the inevitable sufferings that come to us in this fallen, sin-ridden world. But in Christ, we can both accept and comprehend them. We know they come from the brokenness of human nature and human society, and we know that in Christ even the most twisted brokenness can be redeemed. Turning back to St. Paul in today’s first reading: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us (Romans 8:18).

The Mustard Seed: The parable of the mustard seed allows us to visualize the future fruitfulness of our seemingly small actions on behalf of Christ. Most of what happens in the Church is small by the world’s standards—a sprinkle of water at baptism, a word of absolution in confession, a host of unleavened bread at Communion. And yet, contained in these small realities is the actual grace of God. The same goes for our small prayers, our small sacrifices, our small, hidden acts of virtue. These are tiny, from the world’s perspective—not worthy of even a footnote in the annals of the relentless 24/7 news cycle, let alone a headline. And yet, hidden within these tiny acts of faith and responses to God’s grace is a great future, just as the tiny mustard seed contains in potency the largest of shrubs. Contemplating this comparison will enable us to continue committing ourselves to the small things, the things that don’t appear in the headlines, but the things that will be fruitful for an everlasting Kingdom.

The Leaven in the Dough: The parable of the leaven in the dough allows us to visualize the hidden and transforming power of faith, hope, and love, of the grace and truth brought into the world by the Gospel. The leaven literally disappears within the mass of dough. In comparison with the dough, its weight and volume are insignificant. And yet, the entire loaf is affected by that leaven. It is changed and transformed. Just so, Christians living their faith authentically may be indistinguishable on the outside from their neighbors, their coworkers, their comrades, while their witness, their mere presence, gradually works a transformation not only of their inner circles, but even of entire communities, societies, and cultures. How important it is for us to contemplate this image and believe in the hidden power of God’s grace! When the enemy of our souls can’t get us to rebel against God through mortal sin, he will try to distract us from the fruitfulness of day-by-day fidelity to grace by stirring up obsessions with “headline-worthy” events and decisions over which we have no influence at all. If we spend all our energy and attention there, the dough within our grasp will never receive the leaven God wants to give it through our humble and courageous faith. 

Conversing with Christ: I cannot see you, Lord, but I believe in you. I cannot see all the results of my efforts to serve you and build up your Kingdom, but I believe that none of those efforts will be in vain. I cannot see all the graces I receive when I go to Mass and confession, but I believe they are there, at work in my mind and heart like leaven in the dough. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me with these simple, beautiful parables. Help me to savor them, to allow their truth to feed my hope so that I never stop working joyfully with you to advance your Kingdom.