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.