Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật Thứ 6 Thường Niên Năm A

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật Thứ 6 Thường Niên Năm A
Chúa Giêsu nói với các môn đồ: “Ta nói cùng các ngươi, Nếu các con không công chính hơn các luật sĩ và biệt phái,thì các con chẳng được vào Nước Trời đâu.”. Mat 5:20–22
Các kinh sư và người Pharisêu là những bậc thầy của Luật Do Thái giáo của Cựu Ước. Giờ đây, Đấng Cứu Thế đã đến, họ không muốn đi sâu hơn và vượt ra ngoài những lời dạy của Cựu Ước mà họ thường trình bày sai. Họ thích trắng đen rõ ràng và cách tiếp cận tôn giáo đã tồn tại với họ trong nhiều thế kỷ và không muốn thay đổi khi được Chúa Giêsu kêu gọi những điều mới lạ và cao cả hơn.
Bài Tin Mừng hôm nay Chúa Giêsu tiếp tục Bài Giảng về Tám Nối Phúc Thật trên Núi của Ngài,. Trong phần bài giảng hôm nay của Chúa Giêsu, chúng ta được dạy thế nào là tội lỗi qua sự tức giận, ngoại tình và thề thốt. Trong mọi trường hợp kể trên, Chúa Giêsu đề cập đến Lề Luật của người Do Thái như đã được dạy trong Cựu Ước nhưng Chúa Giêsu đã dạy cho chúng ta đi xa hơn, rõ hơn trong một cấp độ mới hoàn toàn. Như câu mở đầu được trích dẫn ở trên cho chúng ta thấy rõ rằng là cách duy nhất để chấp nhận những lời dạy mới lạ này của Chúa Giêsu đã vượt qua “sự công chính” của các thầy thông giáo và người Pha-ri-si. Và hậu quả thảm khốc của việc này là nếu họ không vượt qua khỏi sự ngay thẳng của họ là họ sẽ làm mất Nước Thiên Đàng.
Chúa Giêsu bắt đầu bằng việc nhắc lại các điều răn trong Cựu Ước, “Ngươi chớ giết người.” Nhưng sau đó, Ngài đã nâng 
Chúa Giêsu bắt đầu bằng việc nhắc lại các điều răn trong Cựu Ước, “Ngươi chớ giết người.” Nhưng sau đó, Ngài đã nâng điều răn này lên cao hơn nữa bằng cách nói rằng “ai giận anh em mình thì sẽ bị phán xét.” Tất nhiên, giết người vẫn là một trọng tội. Nhưng bây giờ Chúa Giêsu giải thích rằng thái độ giận dữ anh em mình trong lòng, ngay cả những khi chúng ta chưa có hành động, thì đó cũng là một tội nặng. Ngài còn tiếp tục dạy cho chúng ta một bài học tương tự về tội ngoại tình và những những tội làm chứng gian hay cố ý thề gian thề dối.
Đây là một điều rất hữu ích nếu chúng ta chịu khó hiểu rõ những lời dạy dỗ mới này trong bối cảnh mà các thầy thông giáo và người Pharisiêu đã tiếp cận và đã áp dụng trong cuộc sống của họ trong thời Cựu Ước. Về điều đó, Chúa Giêsu nói: “Các ngươi đừng tưởng ta đến để bãi bỏ lề luật hay lời các tiên tri. Ta đến không phải để bãi bỏ mà để hoàn thành.” Vì vậy, vấn đề chính của các thầy thông giáo và người Pharisiêu là không phải họ không được dạy đúng Luật Cựu Ước. Nhưng vấn đề chính ờ đây là bây giờ Đấng Cứu Thế đã đến và mở ra một thời kỳ mới cho sự ứng nghiệm vào sự công chính, họ sẽ không đi sâu hơn và không chấp nhận việc thực hiện Lề Luật dạy của Thiên Chúa. Họ không sẵn sàng để lớn lên trong sự thánh thiện và chấp nhận việc hoàn thành tất cả những gì đã được Chúa dạy họ trước đó.
Hôm nay, chúng ta hãy suy ngẫm về sự kêu gọi mà Chúa đã dành cho chúng qua những lời Chúa dạy hôm nay và sự vinh quang của Chúa chúng ta. Nếu chúng ta thực sự biết đón nhận Tin Mừng của Chúa hôm nay và sẵn sàng sống trong Lề Luật mới trong ân sủng mới của Ngài, thì chúng ta phải biết sẵn sàng đi sâu hơn trong đức Tin, đức cậy và đức mến để chúng ta sẽ thực sự sống triệt để trong đức tin của mình và để Chúa biến đổi mọi phần trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Luật Mới là một trong những sự trọn vẹn của tình yêu, lòng thương xót, phó thác, nhiệt thành trong sự hoán cải và biến đổi. Chúng ta hãy cam kết là cố gắng tập sống trong sự công chính của chúng ta và cố vượt qua những giới hạn của các thầy thông giáo và người Pha-ri-siêu, và Thiên Chúa sẽ làm những điều vinh quang trong cuộc sống chúng ta.
Lạy Chúa của mọi sự ân sủng, Chúa đã đến và không chỉ dạy chúng con về những đỉnh cao của sự thánh thiện, mà Chúa còn sống điều đó và ban cho chúng con tất cả những gì chúng con cần để bắt chước mọi nhân đức của Chúa. Xin Chúa đổ đầy trên chúng con lòng thương xót và sức mạnh của Chúa để chúng con biết sống một cuộc sống công chính mới tràn đầy tình yêu. Lạy Chúa, chúng con tin vào Chúa.
 
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:20-22)
The scribes and Pharisees were masters of the Old Law. Now that the Messiah had arrived, they were unwilling to go deeper and move beyond the Old Testament teachings that they often misrepresented. They preferred a black-and-white approach to morality that had been with them for centuries and did not want to change when presented with Jesus’ new and higher calling.
Today’s Gospel continues Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which began with the Beatitudes. In today’s portion of Jesus’ sermon, we are taught about anger, adultery and oaths. In every case, Jesus refers to the Law as it was taught in the Old Testament but then elevates it to an entirely new level. The line quoted above makes it clear that the only way to accept these new teachings of Jesus was to surpass the “righteousness” of the scribes and Pharisees. And the dire result of not surpassing their righteousness was the loss of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus begins by recalling the Old Testament commandment, “You shall not kill.” But then He takes that commandment further by saying that “whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” Of course, killing remains a grave sin. But now Jesus explains that the interior attitude of anger, even if not acted upon, is a sin. He goes on to teach a similar lesson about adultery and swearing oaths.
It is helpful to understand these new teachings in the context of the approach that the scribes and Pharisees took in regard to the Old Testament. About that, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Thus, the primary problem with the scribes and Pharisees is not that they failed to teach the Old Testament Law properly. The primary problem is that now that the Messiah has arrived and has ushered in a new time of fulfillment and righteousness, they would not go deeper and would not embrace the fulfillment of the Law of God. They are not willing to grow in holiness and embrace the fulfillment of all that had been taught before.
Reflect, today, upon the calling given to you by our Lord’s new and glorious teachings. If you are to truly embrace the Gospel of our Lord and live in His New Law of grace, then you must be willing to go deep, become truly radical in your faith, and allow God to transform every part of your life. The New Law is one of the fullness of love, mercy, surrender, zeal, conversion and transformation. Commit yourself to surpassing the old and limited righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and God will do glorious things in your life.
Lord of all grace, You came and not only taught us about the heights of holiness, but You also lived it and have bestowed upon us all we need to imitate Your every virtue. Please fill me with Your mercy and strength so that I may live a new righteousness of the fullness of love. Jesus, I trust in You. 
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I can be so cold to your salvific presence as I hurry about living the moment and becoming so sufficient unto myself. There is little wonder that I find it hard to bring myself to prayer—to use faith to know you, divine love to live in you, and theological hope to trust in you. I approach you now, wanting
only to be a more faithful disciple of your Kingdom.
Petition: Christ, help me to be reconciled with others.
1. It Was Said to Your Ancestors That You Shall Not Kill … But I Say to You: In the Old Testament God gave the command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This seems difficult enough to do, but in the New Testament, Our Lord requires much more. The night before he died, Jesus said to his disciples—and he says now to us—, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). How did Jesus love us? We have only to look at the crucifix. He laid down his life for us so that, purified by his Precious Blood, we might be united with the Most Blessed Trinity in the eternal happiness of heaven.
2. “Be Reconciled with Your Brother” - Jesus does not say “neighbor,” but “brother.” In taking upon himself our human nature, Jesus Christ became our brother and the head of the whole human race. He has raised us all, through him, to the dignity of the divine adoption, in such a manner that all Christians compose only one family of which God is the Father and Jesus the first-born Son. Each person we meet is—or is potentially—our brother or sister in Christ. Each is—or is potentially—a member of the family. Therefore, Jesus teaches us that, “whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.”
3. “Go First and Be Reconciled With Your Brother, and Then Come and Offer Your Gift.” - The great St. Thomas More was about to offer God the gift of his martyrdom. It was the month of July 1535. As soon as the unjust court pronounced the sentence of death, Sir Thomas asked to say a few words. He reminded these noblemen that St. Paul and St. Stephen were once on opposite sides and yet, as saints now in heaven, they remain friends forever. He continued: “I shall therefore rightly pray, that though your lordships have now here on earth been judges to my condemnation, we may yet hereafter in heaven all meet together, to our everlasting salvation.” What heroic charity! How was it possible? It was possible because St. Thomas saw his judges with the eyes of Christ. He sees them as human beings who are beloved of God and destined for heaven. So he prays that they will repent of their injustice and receive God’s mercy.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to see my brother as you see him: a person so valuable that you laid down your life for him. Help me to love my brother as you have loved us, with humility and generosity, without counting the cost. I pray especially for those who have injured me or those whom I have injured.


Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” Matthew 5:17–18
For many, the Old Testament can be confusing, filled with laws, rituals, and prophecies that seem difficult to connect with the New Testament. Yet, Jesus’ words remind us that the Old Testament is not merely a relic of the past but an essential part of God’s divine plan. Furthermore, every law, prophecy, and detail, down to “the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter,” finds its deepest meaning and completion in Christ.
In a simplified way, the “Law and the Prophets” in the Old Testament can be summarized as moral laws, ceremonial laws, and prophetic teaching. The moral laws reflect God’s eternal truths of right and wrong, the ceremonial laws govern Israel’s worship and rituals, and the prophetic teaching calls the people to repentance, pointing to the coming Messiah. Together, these form the foundation of the Old Covenant, which is fulfilled in Christ, Who established the New and Eternal Covenant. Additionally, the Psalms and Wisdom literature enrich the Law and the Prophets, offering inspired prayers, meditations on God’s faithfulness, and practical guidance for virtuous living.
Though it might be an arduous task to read through the entire Old Testament, those who do so with understanding discover the truth that everything finds its fulfillment in Christ. “Fulfillment” does not mean that Jesus altered or discarded the Old Testament; rather, He revealed its true and hidden meaning, bringing it to perfection. What the Old Testament could only foreshadow, Jesus accomplished, achieving the fullness of God’s plan.
By analogy, consider an artist’s sketch that depicts a beautiful mountain range and sunset. The Old Testament is like that sketch—it provides the framework, details, and foreshadowing of something greater. In Christ, the sketch is brought to life, becoming reality through God’s creative act. While the sketch and the actual mountain range are the same scene, the reality is the perfect and complete expression of what the sketch anticipated. God, as the Divine Artist, first “sketched” what would come to be through the Law, Prophets, and Wisdom literature, and then brought it to fulfillment through Jesus’ Incarnation, Life, Death, and Resurrection.
In today’s Gospel, after declaring that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, Jesus provided three examples of how He brings the Old Testament moral law to its fulfillment. The commandment “You shall not kill” is deepened to include the interior sin of anger; “You shall not commit adultery” is expanded to include lust in the heart; and “Do not take a false oath” is elevated to a call for sincerity, honesty, and integrity in all one says and does. The Messiah then pours forth His grace, enabling the faithful to live in accord with this high calling.
Though not included in today’s Gospel, Jesus also brings the ceremonial laws to fulfillment by becoming the Lamb of God, offering Himself as the definitive High Priest on the new altar of the Cross. Furthermore, our Lord fulfills the prophets by establishing the New Covenant in His blood, as seen in Isaiah’s vision of the Suffering Servant Who bears the sins of many (Isaiah 53), Jeremiah’s promise of the new covenant written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–34), and Micah’s prophecy of a ruler born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
Reflect today on God’s Eternal Law, established before the foundation of the world and brought to fulfillment in Christ. The human life of the Son of God is the center of time and eternity. Everything converges on Him, and new life flows from Him. Just as our Lord fulfills the Old Testament, He also is the only source of true fulfillment in our lives. Ponder His mission and renew your choice to accept His New Covenant, written on your heart by grace. Doing so is an exercise in Divine Wisdom, giving you a share in the new life of grace, made possible by His blood.
Glorious Lawgiver and Messiah, Your Wisdom is perfect, eternal, and transforming. All things came to be through You and find their fulfillment in You. I thank You for the gift of Your Eternal Law and pray for the grace to live it to perfection, with the aid of Your saving grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Opening Prayer: Lord God, thank you for inviting me to enter into a covenant relationship with you as your child. May I always strive to be faithful and docile to your holy will. Help me to hear your powerful voice amid the distracting noise of the world.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus announces his intention to fulfill – and not abolish – the Law (the first five books of the Bible) and the Prophets. The word “fulfill” connotes making something bear fruit that it has always potentially contained. And so, Jesus, over a thousand years after Moses mediated the Old Law to Israel, makes the Old Law bear its fruit in its fullness and abundance. In particular, he brings 4 laws to fulfillment. First, the prohibition against committing murder remains, but the seed of its deep truth flourishes in the New Covenant prohibition against getting angry with our brothers and sisters, calling them names, and insulting them, and in the positive admonition to be reconciled with one another. Second, the prohibition against committing adultery remains, but is also refocused on avoiding the sin of lust and any habitual sin that leads to eternal damnation. We need to work to be virtuous and chaste. Third, the law of Moses permitting divorce will be understood by Jesus as a temporary concession given to Israel by Moses. Fourth, the law prohibiting false oaths is brought to fulfillment as a prohibition against any swearing, true or false, to try to convince someone you are telling the truth. Just speak the truth, and such swearing is unnecessary. 
2. Salvation: The First Reading, taken from Sirach, emphasizes our collaboration in the work of our salvation. In its original context, Sirach teaches that we should not blame God when we do something evil: “Do not say: ‘It was God’s doing that I fell away,’” (Sirach 15:11). Sirach, then, affirms that we have free will: “God in the beginning created human beings and made them subject to their own free choice” (Sirach 15:14). We have the power to obey or disobey God’s commandments. Obeying God’s commandments will save us, not apart from faith, but together with it. On the one hand, we have to keep the commandments; on the other hand, we have to trust in the Lord. Choosing between good and evil, between life and death, is compared to choosing between a destructive fire and life-giving water. God is wise, all-powerful, and knows all things. He knows and understands all of our deeds and our deepest motives and intentions. God’s omnipotence and omniscience do not give us a license to sin or act unjustly. We can’t say “God made me do it” or blame God when we choose evil or sin. 
3. God’s Mysterious, Hidden Wisdom: In the Second Reading, Paul speaks to the Corinthians about the difference between the ephemeral wisdom of the world and the eternal wisdom of God. Paul is in awe of this mysterious and hidden divine wisdom. God knows all things from all eternity and has a plan for humanity that the “rulers of this age” were incapable of knowing. The religious authorities and political authorities who crucified Jesus were culpable for their crimes, but had no idea that God would redeem the world through Jesus’ death (see the preaching of Peter in Acts 3:17). Paul goes on to paraphrase two Old Testament passages. He quotes part of Isaiah 64:3: “No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you working such deeds for those who wait for him.” And he alludes to Sirach 1:10 about the Lord supplying wisdom “to those who love him.” Wisdom concerning God’s mysterious and hidden plan of salvation is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, grant me a share of your divine wisdom. I am tempted to look at everything in my life with human eyes and judge things falsely. Grant me your salvation and help me grow in the freedom of the children of God.