Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu Thuần 2 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu Thuần 2 Thường Niên
Lời Nguyện Mở Đầu: Lạy Chúa, con đây, con đến để làm theo ý Chúa. Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa chọn và sai Mười Hai Sứ Đồ của Chúa ra đi rao giảng Lời Chúa Chúng con biết rằng Chúa đã chọn chúng con theo cùng một cách. Chúa đã gọi chúng con, Chúa đã đặt chúng con vào số Chúa chọn, và sai chúng con đi. Xin Chúa hãy cho chúng con sức mạnh để đáp ứng ơn gọi của Chúa. Chúng con muốn làm theo ý muốn của Chúa và là môn đệ của Chua. Cho dù chúng con biết Chúa sẽ cho chúng con sức mạnh, đôi khi chúng con vẫn cảm thấy sức nặng của những công việc này, và chúng con bắt đầu nghi ngờ. Chúng con muốn thêm hạn để cam kết và quyết định trả lời ơn gọi của và sứ mệnh của Chúa trao..
Gặp gỡ Đấng Christ:
 Phúc Âm cho chúng ta thấy rằng Chúa Giêsu đã chọn Mười Hai Tông Đồ, chủ yếu của ngài là để họ có thể ở với ngài. Ở với Chúa Giêsu là lý do trước tiên là để làm tông đồ. Mặc dù chữ Tông đồ theo tiếng Hy Lạp có nghĩa là người được sai đi, nhưng Phúc Âm nói rõ rằng tông đồ trước hết là cần ở với Chúa Giêsu, nghĩa là cùng sống với Ngài và theo Ngài. Tất cả chúng ta cũng cần điều này. Chúng ta cần ở sát bên cạnh với Chúa Giêsu luôn luôn. Không có lý do nào chính đáng hơn là trở thành tông đồ của Chúa hơn là được cam kết là được cùng đồng hành cùng Chúa Giêsu.
Bây giờ chúng ta đến với ý nghĩa của tiếng Hy Lạp có nghĩa là tông đồ: người được sai đi. Làm thế nào để một tông đồ của Đức Kitô vừa ở cùng với Đức Kitô vừa được sai đi? Có lẽ chúng ta có thể tìm thấy câu trả lời về lý do tại sao các tông đồ được sai đi rao giảng. Một tông đồ chỉ có thể rao giảng về Đức Kitô khi người ấy ở với Đức Kitô. Và khi thực sự rao giảng về Đức Kitô là khi chúng ta làm cho Ngài hiện diện với chúng ta và hiện diện với những người đang nghe chúng ta nói về Tin Mừng của Ngài. Thật là một thực tế tâm linh đáng kinh ngạc.
Quyền năng xua đuổi ma quỷ có thể coi chúng ta là một siêu năng lực đáng kinh ngạc. Nhưng Chúa Giêsu Christ đã liệt kê nó ở vị trí cuối cùng về lý do ngài gọi các tông đồ. Quyền năng đuổi quỷ là hệ quả của việc ở với Đực Kitô và rao giảng về Ngài. Khi chúng ta làm điều này theo ý muốn của Thiên Chúa, thì hàng ộng của Ma quỷ sẽ không còn chỗ hoạt động. Với Đớc Kitô ở bên cạnh chúng ta, ma quỷ không còn quyền năng và không thể gây ra sự dữ trong tâm hồn chúng ta, mặc dù chúng ta biết nó không ngừng ra tay để tiêu diệt chúng ta.
Đối thoại với Chúa Kitô:
Lạy Chúa Giêsu, Chúa đã kêu gọi chúng con làm tông đồ của Chúa. Đó là một nhiệm vụ vượt xa sự tưởng tượng của chúng con, và nhiều khi chúng con không hiểu làm thế nào để có thể thực hiện việc đó cho tốt đẹp. Chúng con đã cố gắng suy niệm về những lý do mà Chúa đã gọi chúng con, những lý do mà Chúa đã gọi tất cả chúng con. Xin Chúa giúp chúng con luôn ở gần Chúa. Xin giúp chúng con loan truyền về Chúa cho mọi người mà chúng con gặp một cách không sợ hãi. Xin Chúa hãy giữ chúng con được vững vàng trước những cơn cám dỗ của ma quỷ.
Lạy Chúa, hôm nay nhờ ân sủng của Chúa, chúng con sẽ suy ngẫm về ơn gọi mà Chúa đã kêu gọi chúng con và tìm cách làm thế nào để con có thể sống ở gần với Chúa hơn, Rao truyên Tin Mừng về Chúa và mạnh mẽ chống lại ma quỷ trong cuộc sống của chúng con và trong cuộc sống của người khác.
 
Friday 2nd Week of Ordinary Time 2026
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I praise you for all your works. As I contemplate the appointment of the Twelve, I realize how unique each one was. You look upon me with the same love and know who I am better than I know myself. Help me today to know my strengths and my weaknesses, my personality traits and deepest desires, so that I may better serve you and your Kingdom.
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Holiness of Peter and Andrew: Contemplating the lives of the Twelve Apostles can be a great comfort. There are many clues in the Gospels about their diverse personalities. Eleven of the twelve were saints, and this means that we, with our diverse personalities, can also attain holiness. Simon Peter was impulsive and bold, often speaking first without thinking everything through. He had leadership qualities and was strong-willed, and didn’t hesitate to speak his mind or attempt to rebuke Jesus. He was enthusiastic and passionate. He confessed openly that he was a sinful man and wept bitterly when he denied his Lord. By contrast, his brother, Andrew, was humble, thoughtful, and eager to serve quietly. Andrew was less impulsive and outspoken and preferred a supportive role. Peter led the Church in Jerusalem, in Antioch, and later in Rome. When Peter fell into hypocrisy, he took Paul’s criticism to heart and changed his ways. Peter went west to the capital city of Rome and gave his life for Christ on an upside-down crucifix. Andrew went north to Constantinople and the Black Sea and gave his life for Christ on an X-shaped crucifix. Whether we are like Peter – impulsive, primary, bold, ambitious, passionate – or like his brother Andrew – humble, helpful, supportive – we are all called holiness!
2. The Holiness of the Sons of Zebedee: The Gospel of Mark gives us the nickname of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were called “Boanerges” or “sons of thunder.” They wanted to call down fire from heaven upon the towns that refused to welcome Jesus (Luke 9:54). Like Peter, the sons of Zebedee were zealous, passionate, and ambitious. They were bold and assertive and requested the seats of honor beside Jesus in the kingdom of God (Mark 10:35-45). James was martyred early in the life of the Church by King Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2). Perhaps the death and martyrdom of his brother James modified John’s temperament. Instead of a “son of thunder,” John became an apostle of love, who lived a long life, wrote a Gospel, and emphasized the need to love one another. Whether we are like James and of fiery temperament to the end, or like John, and live a long life and are humbled by old age, we are all called to holiness!
3. The Holiness of James the Less and Philip: James the Lesser was the son of Alphaeus (Cleopas) and likely the cousin of Jesus. He became the bishop of Jerusalem and was the author of the Letter of James in the New Testament. James was known for his asceticism and holiness. He was called “James the Just.” He taught the Church that our faith needs to flourish in good works. A person is justified by works of love that bring our faith to completion and perfection. The Church historian Eusebius records how James abstained from wine and strong drink, and meat. He took the Nazarite vow and was even allowed to enter the Temple sanctuary as a priest. It was said that he was often found in the Temple, kneeling and praying for the forgiveness of the people of God. For this reason, he won over many Pharisees to the Christian faith. James is paired with Philip and celebrated on May 3. This was because their relics were brought to Rome in early May. From the Gospel, we know that Philip was logical and a realist, pointing out that five loaves of bread were not enough to feed five thousand. Philip was also a bridge and intermediary. He brought Nathanael (Bartholomew) to Jesus and was one of the two whom the Greeks approached to bring them to Jesus (John 12:21-22). Philip displayed an inquisitiveness at the Last Supper when he asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father” (John 14:8). Whether we are like James, who is more pessimistic about the world, or Philip, who is a pragmatic realist, we are all called to holiness!
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you commissioned your Apostles and gave them the power to teach and drive out demons. I ask that you empower me today to carry out the mission you have given me. Like the Apostles, I want to spread your Gospel message of love and forgiveness.
 
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:14–15
The Twelve Apostles were first called by Jesus and then sent to preach with authority. The authority they were given was for the purpose of driving out demons. But how did they do that? It’s interesting to note that the authority they were given over demons was, in part, associated with their commission to preach. And though there are some recorded instances in the Scriptures of the Apostles driving out demons directly by command, it should also be understood that the preaching of the Gospel with the authority of Christ has a direct effect of driving out demons.
Demons are fallen angels. But even in their fallen state, they retain the natural powers they have, such as the power of influence and suggestion. They seek to communicate with us to deceive us and draw us away from Christ. The good angels, of course, also exercise this same natural power for our good. Our guardian angels, for example, constantly seek to communicate to us the truths of God and His grace. The angelic battle for good and evil is real, and as Christians we must be aware of this reality.
One of the greatest ways to confront satan and his demons is to listen to the Truth and to proclaim it with the authority of Christ. Though the Apostles were given a special authority for their preaching, every Christian, by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, is entrusted with the message of the Gospel to proclaim in various ways. And with that authority, we must constantly strive to bring forth the Kingdom of God. Doing so will have a direct impact on the diminishment of the kingdom of satan.
Reflect, today, upon your duty to share the Gospel with others. Sometimes this is done by an explicit sharing of the message of Jesus Christ, and at other times the message is shared more by our actions and virtue. But every Christian is entrusted with this mission and must learn to fulfill that mission with true authority, knowing that as that authority from Christ is exercised, the Kingdom of God increases and the activity of the evil one is overcome.
My all-powerful Lord, I thank You for the grace You have given me to proclaim the truth of Your saving message to those whom I encounter every day. Help me to fulfill my mission to preach in both word and deed and to do so with the gentle yet powerful authority given me by You. I offer myself to Your service, dear Lord. Do with me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Friday 2nd Week of Ordinary Time 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord, you are so patient with me, are slow to anger, and abound in merciful love for me. I am called to be merciful just as you are merciful. Justice and mercy go hand in hand. Help me to discern when I need to be firm in seeking justice, when I need to be a peacemaker, and when I need to show unbounded mercy.
 Encountering the Word of God
 1. David’s Respect for Saul: The First Reading narrates the conflict between Saul and David. One thing that emerges is the deep respect David has for Saul as the Lord’s anointed king. Instead of killing Saul, David leaves the judgment of the wicked king to God, knowing that God will exact justice. David points out that he took pity on Saul. In a certain sense, sparing the life of Saul in the cave was a greater victory for David than his victory over Goliath. David’s victory in the case of Saul is not attained through weapons and bloodshed, but by putting his anger to death and practicing mercy. Wickedness is never the right path.
 2. The Consequences of David’s Mercy: Saul is moved to tears when he learns that David spared his life. Saul now knows more than ever that his time as king is ending and that one day David will reign as king over Israel. David has shown that he will be a good king, who is capable of mercy. David is not perfect. He knows this and many times throughout his reign we will see him entrust himself to the Lord’s mercy and beg for forgiveness.
 3. Jesus Appointed Twelve Apostles: In the Gospel, Jesus appointed twelve new leaders for a new Israel. The twelve are called “apostles,” a title which means “one sent out.” They are authorized to act as Jesus’ envoys and representatives. On the one hand, they are tasked with being with Jesus. On the other, they are sent out to preach and drive out demons. The Apostles have different backgrounds, sensibilities, and personalities. Everything they are, all of their talents and abilities, can be placed at the service of God’s merciful Kingdom. However, only from intimate communion with Jesus will their apostolic ministry bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. The Apostles are to proclaim the Kingdom of God not only through their words but also by their actions. The Kingdom they proclaim and extend is in the world but not of the world. Over time they will learn that they will suffer for this Kingdom and that one of its main characteristics is merciful love.
 Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you commissioned your Apostles and gave them the power to teach and drive out demons. I ask that you empower me today to carry out the mission you have given me. I want to spread your Gospel message of love and forgiveness.