Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Sau Tuần 2 Mùa Chay

 Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Sau Tuần 2 Mùa Chay

            Qua Bài dụ ngôn hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu cho chúng ta biết về sự tha thứ của Thiên Chúa, như Người cha nhân từ mong mỏi chờ đợi người con hư đốn trở về.. Thiên Chúa như người cha già đã vui mừng khi thấy ngưòi con đã trở về từ đằng xa. Khi người con đến, ông đã tha thứ cho anh ta mà không một có lời trách cứ. Đó là cách mà Thiên Chúa đã tha thứ cho chúng ta.
            Sự trở về của người con hoang đàng không phải là sự kết thúc của câu chuyện. Còn người anh trai nữa, Anh đã thực sự không hài lòng khi biết rằng người em của mình đã trở về và được người cha tiếp đón tiệc đãi linh đình. Người Anh này đại diện cho những người Pharisêu tự mãn, những người chỉ muốn thấy những tội nhân phải được tiêu diệt hơn là tha thứ và được cứu rỗi. Thái độ của anh ta cho thấy rằng những năm anh ta đã vâng phục cha mình, là những năm anh làm nhiệm vụ của mình trong sự  khắc nghiệt chứ không phải là sự phục vụ trong yêu thương. Thái độ của anh ta là một trong những thái độ thiếu sự thông cảm hoàn toàn, khi anh ta từ chối người Cha đến với bữa tiệc mừng người em trở về.
            Tiên tri Micah đã viết về tình yêu trung tín của Thiên Chúa và chúng ta không thể đứng trước mặt Thiên Chúa mà nói rằng chúng ta công chính; Thiên Chúa mới là Đấng từ bi và nhân hậu.
            Lạy Chúa, cho chúng con thấy được tình yêu trung tín của Chúa và xin thương xót chúng con mãi mãi.
 
Saturday 2^nd week of Lent
Today’s Gospel should never have been called the parable of the Prodigal Son, for the son is not the hero. It should be called the parable of the Loving Father, for it tells us rather about a father’s love than a son’s sin.
            It tells us much about the forgiveness of God. The father must have been waiting and watching for the son to come home, for he saw him a long way off. When he came, he forgave him with no recriminations. There is a way of forgiving, when forgiveness is conferred as a favour, but that is not the forgiveness which Jesus speaks about.   The Prodigal’s return is not the end of the story. There enters the elder brother who was actually sorry that his brother had come home. He stands for the self-righteous Pharisees who would rather see a sinner destroyed than saved. His attitude shows that his years of obedience to his father had been years of grim duty and not of loving service. His attitude is one of utter lack of sympathy, but the Father includes him in the feast.
            Prophet Micah and psalmist write about the faithful love of God. We cannot stand before God saying we are righteous; it is God who is compassionate and merciful. Lord, show us your faithful love and have mercy on us for ever.
 
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. Luke 15:11–13
Why did the father in this parable give his wayward son his inheritance? Very few parents would do such a thing. Essentially, the son treated his father as if he were dead. He showed no interest in remaining part of the family, nor did he care about his father’s potential need for him in old age. The son’s only desire was to take the money, leave for a distant land, and live a sinful life, severing his relationship with his father. So why did the father agree to the son’s premature demand for his inheritance?
The father’s extreme generosity represents God’s deep respect for our free will. This parable was addressed to the scribes and Pharisees, who constantly sought to manipulate and intimidate God’s people into submission. But God doesn’t work that way. He allows us the freedom to sin because, without that freedom, we would be unable to love Him authentically.
The symbolism in this parable is clear: the son represents all who reject God, treat Him as though He were dead, abuse the natural and worldly gifts they’ve been given, and stray deeply into sin—symbolized by the “distant country.” When God’s children reject Him and use their free will to sin, He permits them to experience the consequences of their choices. They soon discover that a life of sin away from Him quickly turns chaotic. While sin might provide temporary satisfaction, it inevitably leads to spiritual hunger and destitution.
It was the responsibility of the religious leaders to treat God’s people with the same respect that the father in this story showed his son. This remains the responsibility of every parent, Church leader, and person in authority today. First and foremost, we must respect the free will of others. Authentic conversion and worship cannot come from intimidation or manipulation. Yet, the scribes and Pharisees, through their self-righteousness and condescension, interfered with this essential quality of faith and worship.
Even worse was their attitude toward those who had gone astray. They were indignant that Jesus welcomed tax collectors and sinners. But that was precisely why He came—to invite sinners to repentance. And repent they did. The scribes and Pharisees, however, were too self-absorbed to even consider extending forgiveness to those they deemed unworthy.
When someone you love sins against you, how do you respond? Do you allow the one you love the freedom to make choices, continuing to love that person even in his or her rejection of you? The scribes and Pharisees couldn’t stomach such mercy. But to God, it is a profound act of respect for human freedom, allowing each person to experience the consequences of his or her decisions. And when a sinner begins to suffer those consequences, do you think to yourself, “I told you so”? Or does your heart fill with compassion, making it easy for the sinner to return to God and to you?
Reflect today on your attitude toward sinners. We are all sinners, and none of us has the right to judge, intimidate, or condemn others. Mercy—abundant mercy—is essential if we are to become like the father of the prodigal son. Only mercy that fully respects others, longs for their conversion, and forgives even before being asked can effectively change hearts. Contemplate the heart of our loving Father in Heaven and strive to imitate His holy virtues.
Most merciful God, You have given me the freedom to love You or reject You, to obey Your perfect Law or follow my own will. When I sin, help me endure the consequences, so that in my humiliation, I may recall Your abundant mercy and turn back to You with all my heart. Grant me, too, a heart like Yours for every sinner, that I may be a beacon of Your care for them. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent 2026
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are my merciful Father, always ready to embrace me when I return home. Comfort me in your arms and wipe my tears away. Do not let me forget how good it is to be in your house.
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Title of the Parable: The traditional title of the parable, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son,” tends to focus our attention on the sins and repentance of the younger son. And who of us this Lent doesn’t need to hear that lesson and repent and go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Unfortunately, this focus can make us miss other important lessons about the older son. In fact, Jesus addresses the parable not just to the tax collectors and public sinners drawing near to him but also and primarily to the Pharisees and scribes who complain about Jesus welcoming sinners and eating meals with them. Eating a meal in this context symbolizes entering into a covenant relationship and familial relationship with Jesus. In the parable, then, Jesus is like the father who welcomes back his wayward son. The tax collectors and sinners are like the prodigal son who returns to the father’s house and confesses his sin. The Pharisees and scribes are like the older son, who remained in the father’s house but refused to welcome back his brother.
2. How God Welcomes Back His Children: When the prodigal son returns to his father’s house, he feels that he has forever lost his status as a son: “I no longer deserve to be called your son.” He asked to be treated as a servant in the house and not as a son. But when God welcomes us back, he does not reduce us to slaves in his household. No, he restores us to divine sonship: “this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.” This restoration to sonship happens often in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We enter the Sacrament as wayward children, humbled by our weakness and sin, and leave restored as royal children of God and heirs of the Kingdom. 
3. How the Older Brother Refuses to Welcome Back His Brother: The Pharisees mistakenly think that they are like God and can judge those around them. Instead of seeing themselves as sinners in need of forgiveness, they see themselves as the “separated ones,” the righteous and healthy ones who have no need of a physician. They are blind to their sin and also to their need for repentance. The parable doesn’t tell us about the eventual meeting between the two sons or how the older son reacted to the request of his father. This means that each one of us has to decide how we will welcome back our wayward brothers and sisters. Will we stay outside the feast prepared by the Father, or will we go inside and embrace our brother who has returned?
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your parables continue to speak to me and reveal the mysteries of God and the Kingdom. Help me to be merciful like you and your Father. When I struggle to repent, move my heart with your grace. When I struggle to forgive, soften my heart with your grace.
 
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
“Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.” Luke 15:22–24
This was the reaction of the faithful son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Recall that after squandering his inheritance, the Prodigal Son returns home humiliated and poor, asking his father if he will take him back and treat him as if he were a hired hand. But the father surprises him and throws a huge party for the son to celebrate his return. But the father’s other son, the one who remained with him throughout the years, would not join in the celebration.
Was it fair that the father killed the fatted calf and threw this large party to celebrate his wayward son’s return? Was it fair that that same father apparently never even gave his faithful son a young goat to feast on with his friends? The right answer is that this is the wrong question. It’s easy for us to live in such a way that we always want things to be “fair.” And when we perceive that another receives more than us, we can get angry and bitter. But asking whether or not this is fair is not the right question. When it comes to the mercy of God, God’s generosity and goodness far exceed what is perceived as fair. And if we are to share in the abundant mercy of God, we too must learn to rejoice in His superabundant mercy.
In this story, the act of mercy given to his wayward son was exactly what that son needed. He needed to know that no matter what he had done in the past, his father loved him and rejoiced in his return. Therefore, this son needed an abundance of mercy partly to reassure him of his father’s love. He needed this extra consolation so as to become convinced that he made the right choice in returning.
The other son, the one who had remained faithful throughout the years, was not treated unfairly. Rather, his discontent came from the fact that he himself lacked the same abundant mercy present in the heart of his father. He failed to love his brother to the same extent and, therefore, failed to see the need to offer this consolation to his brother as a way of helping him understand he was forgiven and welcomed back. Mercy is very demanding and far exceeds what we may at first perceive as rational and just. But if we desire to receive mercy in abundance, we must be ready and willing to offer it to those who need it the most.
Reflect, today, upon how merciful and generous you are willing to be, especially toward those who do not appear to deserve it. Remind yourself that the life of grace is not about being fair; it’s about being generous to a shocking extent. Commit yourself to this depth of generosity toward all and look for ways that you can console another’s heart with the mercy of God. If you do, that generous love will also bless your heart in abundance.
My most generous Lord, You are compassionate beyond what I can fathom. Your mercy and goodness far exceed what any of us deserve. Help me to be eternally grateful for Your goodness and help me to offer that same depth of mercy to those in most need. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Saturday 2^nd week of Lent 2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are my merciful Father, always ready to embrace me when I return home. Comfort me in your arms and wipe my tears away. Do not let me forget how good it is to be in your house.
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Title of the Parable: The traditional title of the parable, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son,” tends to focus our attention on the sins and repentance of the younger son. And who of us this Lent doesn’t need to hear that lesson and repent and go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Unfortunately, this focus can make us miss other important lessons about the older son. In fact, Jesus addresses the parable not just to the tax collectors and public sinners drawing near to him but also and especially to the Pharisees and scribes who complain about Jesus welcoming sinners and eating meals with them. Eating a meal in this context symbolizes entering into a covenant relationship and familial relationship with Jesus. In the parable, then, Jesus is like the father who welcomes back his wayward son. The tax collectors and sinners are like the prodigal son who returns to the father’s house and confesses his sin. The pharisees and scribes are like the older son, who remained in the father’s house but refused to welcome back his brother.
2. How God Welcomes Back His Children: When the prodigal son returns to his father’s house, he feels that he has forever lost his status as a son: “I no longer deserve to be called your son.” He asked to be treated as a servant in the house and not as a son. But when God welcomes us back, he does not reduce us to slaves in his household. No, he restores us to divine sonship: “this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.” This restoration to sonship happens often in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We enter the Sacrament as wayward children, humbled by our weakness and sin, and leave restored as royal children of God and heirs of the Kingdom. 
3. How the Older Brother Refuses to Welcome Back His Brother: The Pharisees mistakenly think that they are like God and can judge those around them. Instead of seeing themselves as sinners in need of forgiveness, they see themselves as the “separated ones,” the righteous and healthy ones who have no need of a physician. They are blind to their sin and also to their need for repentance. The parable doesn’t tell us about the eventual meeting between the two sons or how the older son reacted to the request of his father. This means that each one of us has to decide how we will welcome back our wayward brothers and sisters. Will we stay outside the feast prepared by the Father, or will we go inside and embrace our brother who has returned? 
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your parables continue to speak to me and reveal the mysteries of God and the Kingdom. Help me to be merciful like you and your Father. When I struggle to repent, move my heart with your grace. When I struggle to forgive, soften my heart with your grace.
 
Saturday 2^nd week of Lent
Opening Prayer: Father, help me to see you more clearly through your Son’s words. Help me to know you the way he knows you—as the Father who loves me more than I can imagine and who always does everything you can to call me back to you when I have strayed. 
Encountering Christ:
1. Let Me Tell You about My Father: Jesus would like to show us how much the Father loves us, but he doesn’t have many good examples to draw from. There were many great, virtuous men in Israelite history, but they all had flaws. None would do as an example of the Father’s love because of their shortcomings. How could he make us understand, give us at least a glimmer of the Father’s love? In the end, he invented a father in this parable–a parable we often call “The Prodigal Son” because we identify more with the younger son–but which many theologians and Scripture scholars call “The Father of Mercies” because it is the father in the parable who is the real hero.
2. Breaking All the Rules: Jesus went out of his way to invent a son who was the lowest of the low. This son insulted his father by asking for the inheritance before his father died—as if to say, “You’re worth more to me dead.” He then sold that same property (which the Jews considered to be entrusted to the family by God)—an unthinkable sin for the Jews. He liquefied his assets and left the Promised Land—another unthinkable sin from the point of view of the Jews. He then proceeded to squander his money on debauchery. Jesus’s listeners must have been standing there in open-mouthed amazement by the time he finished describing what the son did. They would never dream that someone could commit so many unthinkable sins so fast. The crowning moment? The son ended up feeding pigs—another unthinkable sin for the Jews. He had sunk as low as was possible in Jewish eyes.
3. The Father’s Reaction? Love More!: Instead of being offended by his son’s actions and turning his back on him, this father continued to love him, and do everything he could to welcome his son back. Although he knew where his son was, he didn’t send him money and gifts once things went badly for him. Instead, the father lets his son hit rock bottom in the hope that he would come to his senses—and he did! We know the father was constantly thinking of the son because he saw him while he was still far away—he must have been watching every day, hoping for his return. He cut off the son’s apology; it wasn’t important to him. Instead, he threw a feast. This is not a parable that tells us how to raise teenagers. It is a parable that tells us about our relationship with the eternal Father. When we insult him in the worst ways, he takes it. When we use his gifts to do terrible things, he allows it. When we return, sometimes more for our own well-being than for love of him, he accepts us back—not as servants, but as sons and daughters! His reaction to our sinfulness is not anger—it’s to love more. 
Conversing with Christ: Jesus, too often I look at you and your Father as being like me—proud, unforgiving, more concerned with myself than with the good of others. You help me to see that your Father is not like that. Instead of putting limits on his love–as I do–he lets his love flow out more generously when he encounters a sinner like me. 
 
REFLECTION
If ever we feel distant from God, we should seek the company of children. For it is in our dealings with them that we can see ourselves clearly through God's eyes. As parents, elders or teachers, we constantly warn them to be careful. Often, we see our advice unheeded for the flimsiest reasons or out of plain stubbornness. We end up more hurt than they are because their disobedience wounds our hearts. And yet, despite this happening time and again, our love for them still grows daily. We rush to them because we feel that they are part of us. That is exactly why the father in the parable runs with joy to his repentant son even when he is still a long way off. That is how and why God loves us.
 
REFLECTION
Like the father of the prodigal son, God does not dwell on our past waywardness. He knows all your sins and weaknesses, but as you open your mouth to confess them, He stops you. He rejoices when you come back to His embrace. He has already removed your transgressions as far as the east is from the west.  Lent is the moment for us to stop, sit down, and try to reflect on our own present situations as sinners. Truly, sin has dragged us down to our lowest dignity and placed us into a most embarrassing position.
            The good news, however, is that should we at any time find ourselves burdened by our sins, we may go back to our Father and He will always run to meet us and rejoice that we have found our way back to Him. Like the Pharisees and scribes, the older brother, in his self- righteousness, has forgotten to rejoice when a sinner returns to God. Bitterness and resentment keep him from forgiving his younger brother.
 
Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Luke 15:1-3,11-32 - Thứ Bẩy Tuần 2 Mùa Chay
Giống như người cha nhân lành trong bài dụ ngôn hôm nay, Thiên Chúa không không bao giờ biết hẹp hòi cố chấp những lỗi lầm trong quá khứ của chúng ta.  Chúa biết tất cả những yếu đuối và tội lỗi của chúng ta, nhưng khi chúng ta biết mở lời thú tội trước Chúa, Chúa đã nhận lời tha thứ, Ngài rất vui mừng khi chúng ta trở về với vòng tay âu yếm và nhân từ của Ngài. Chúa đã thứ tha và quên hết những lỗi lầm của chúng ta từ khi chúng ta vẫn còn ở đàng xa, như người cha già ngóng đợi ngườì con thoang đàng đang trở về.
            Mùa Chay là thời điểm cho tất cả chúng suy ngẫm và cố gắng phản ánh về tình hình nội tâm hiện tại của chúng ta là những người tội lỗi. Quả thật, tội lỗi đã lôi kéo phẩm giá con người của chúng ta xuống quá  thấp  và đặt chúng ta vào một vị trí thật là đáng xấu hổ nhất. Tuy nhiên, nếu chúng tự thấy chính mình bị đè nặng nặng bởi tội lỗi, chúng ta có thể quay trở về với Chúa là Cha rất nhân lành bất cứ lúc nào, và Ngài luôn luôn ngóng đợi và sẵn sàng chạy đến ôm chầm lấy chúng ta trong sự vui mừng vì chúng ta đã tìm thấy con đường sám hối ăn năn và trở về với Ngài.
- Như người Pharisiêu và các thầy thông giáo, người anh tự cho mình là người sống trong sự ngay chính, nên đã không mấy vui mừng khi thấy một tội nhân trở về với Thiên Chúa. Lòng tị hiềm, oán giận, ghen tương, giận dữ, ích kỷ đã biến người anh ra nhỏ nhen, không còn bác ái để tha thứ cho em mình.  Hôm nay, chúng ta hãy tự xét mình, tự hỏi chính mình xem đã bao lần chúng ta đã ngạo mạn giống như ngưòi anh trong bài dụ ngôn hôm nay, cố chấp, ghen tương, nhỏ mọn?.  Xin Chúa giúp chúng ta có can đảm, thêm lòng bác ái để từ bỏ cái tôi của chúng ta, đế biết đối xử với nhau một cách rộng lượng và nhân từ hơn.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Sau Tuần 2 Mùa Chay

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Sau Tuần 2 Mùa Chay -Matthew 21:33-46 

Trong bài dụ ngôn hôm nay, Chúa đã dạy cho chúng ta thấy về lòng quảng đại và sự tin tưởng của Thiên Chúa. Như ông chủ vườn nho, Thiên Chúa đã tin tưởng chúng ta, cho chúng ta sự tự do để chạy theo cuộc sống riêng như chúng ta muốn. Dụ ngôn này cũng cho chúng ta thấy được sự kiên nhẫn và sự công bằng của Thiên Chúa.

            Không phải chỉ một mà nhiều lần ông Chủ đã tha thứ cho những người thuê vườn. Tuy nhiên, những người thuê vườn lại có ác tâm với và lợi dụng sự kiên nhẫn của ông chủ vườn, và cuối cùng thì sự phán quyết và công lý của ông chủ đã toàn thắng .

            Chúa Giêsu tiên báo trước cái chết và sự chiến thắng phục sinh của mình. Chúa biết Ngài sẽ bị chối bỏ và bị hành hình, nhưng Ngài cũng biết rằng rồi cũng sẽ có hồi kết thúc. Vì sau cuộc khổ nạn, Ngài sẽ  đến trong vinh quang. Sự vinh quang của Ngài là sự sống lại và lên trời ngự bên tay phải của Thiên Chúa Cha. Chúa đã chúc phúc cho dân của Ngài ngày hôm nay với hồng ân của Nước Trời. Và Ngài hứa sẽ ban cho chúng ta được sinh nhiều hoa trái, nếu chúng ta sống trong ơn nghĩa với Ngài (xem Gioan 15:1-11).

            Thiên Chúa phó thác tình yêu và ân sủng của Ngài cho mỗi người chúng ta và Ngài trao việc thừa hành và quản lý vườn nho của Ngài cho chúng ta để hưởng lợi, đó chính là Thân thể Chúa Kitô.  Chúa cũng đã hứa rằng: những công việc của chúng ta làm sẽ không trở nên vô ích nếu chúng ta kiên trì với đức tin của chúng ta cho đến cùng (1 Cô-rinh-tô 15:58). Chúng ta có thể gánh chịu những thử thách, bị bắt bớ và giam cẩm. Nhưng cuối cùng chúng ta sẽ thấy sự chiến thắng

 

Meditation Friday 2nd week of Lent.

This parable speaks to us today tells us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well equipped with everything the tenants need. The owner went away and left the vineyard in the hands of the tenants. God, likewise trusts us enough to give us freedom to run life as we choose. This parable also tells us of God's patience and justice. Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But while the tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his judgment and justice prevail in the end.

Jesus foretold both his death and his ultimate triumph. He knew he would be rejected and be killed, but he also knew that would not be the end. After rejection would come glory – the glory of resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. The Lord blesses his people today with the gift of his kingdom. And he promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in him (see John 15:1-11). He entrusts his gifts and grace to each of us and he gives us work to do in his vineyard – the body of Christ. He promises that our labor will not be in vain if we persevere with faith to the end (see 1 Corinthians 15:58). We can expect trials and even persecution. But in the end we will see triumph. Do you labor for the Lord with joyful hope and with confidence in his victory?

 

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned” Mt.21:33–34

Jesus addressed this parable to the chief priests and elders of the people because He loved them. It concludes with Jesus prophesying the fate of these religious leaders: “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” The religious leaders were deeply rooted in their sins, and this parable was meant to uproot those sins, disturbing the soil of their hearts. Out of hope for their conversion, Jesus, in His mercy, took decisive action in a direct, clear, and bold way.

This vineyard image comes from Isaiah 5:1–7, which identifies Israel as the “vineyard of the LORD of hosts.” The landowner is God, and the people of Judah were His “cherished plant.” God had planted, nurtured, and protected His people. The hedge, the wine press, and the tower all point to the care and providence God had for them, showing that they had been given everything they needed to flourish spiritually.

The problem was the “tenants”—the chief priests and elders of the people who had been entrusted with the care of God’s people. They neglected their duty to bear fruit for God’s glory, perverting His Law and usurping His Kingdom for their own prestige, authority, and comfort. Jesus rebuked them harshly, identifying them as murderers, even of the landowner’s son, a clear reference to Himself. Their attachment to power and outward religiosity blinded them to the deeper demands of justice, mercy, and faithfulness to God’s covenant. This pride led to their rejection of the prophets, John the Baptist, and the Messiah.

Though it might be initially unpleasant to do so, take some time to consider how you struggle with similar sins. Do you forcefully and jealously try to control the people in your life? Are you overly concerned about how people perceive you, elevating your public image dishonestly? Are you greedy, desirous of power for selfish gain, and attached to your own comforts? Or is charity at the forefront of your daily mission with people, especially those most difficult to love, avoiding rejection, rash judgment, and condemnation?

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His time so strongly because many of them suffered deeply from these sins. He knew that His rebukes would lead some to anger, but He hoped others would repent—and some did. Every rebuke Jesus made was an act of love, and the more deeply entrenched we are in our sins, the more we need this form of direct, confrontational love from our Lord.

Even if the extreme pride of the chief priests and elders is not a major issue for you, pride is likely present in some form. Pride is often the last sin to be purged from our souls, as it is considered the “mother of all sin.” At its core, pride is selfishness, rather than selfless, sacrificial love.

Reflect today on Jesus’ firm rebuke of the religious leaders and His desire to rebuke you. Don’t take offense at this form of love. Be open to it, be humbled by it, experience freedom from it, and rejoice as you see those sins—be they big or small—that keep you from fully surrendering your life to Christ.

Most merciful Lord, though at times You are gentle with Your people, especially when we are broken, fearful, and confused, there are other times when Your love comes in the form of a holy rebuke. Please humble me, Lord, so that I can accept those rebukes and allow Your grace to root out every form of pride with which I struggle. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Friday 2nd week of Lent 2026

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you carefully direct the course of history. You knew how the story of Joseph would end and permitted him to suffer and be tested. You knew everything that would happen to your Son and his Apostles. You know my story and how it will unfold. Guide me each day so that I may be with you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. God Sent the Prophets: Today’s Gospel parable summarizes the history of Israel in just a few lines. The landowner planting a vineyard is a symbol of God establishing Israel as his people. The hedge refers to the walls of Jerusalem. The leasing to tenants refers to God entrusting the people of Israel to their leaders, rulers, kings, priests, and elders. The sending of servants refers to the sending of prophets to Israel and Judah. Instead of listening to the prophets and turning from idolatry, the people of Israel and Judah maltreated the prophets of God. Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were all persecuted by the people they ministered to. The last prophet before Jesus, John the Baptist, was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa. How do I heed the words of the prophets of the Old Testament in my life?

2. God Sent his Son, the Rejected Stone: The Gospel parable, pronounced by Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, prepares us for and makes us look ahead during Lent to the celebration of Holy Week, when the Son of God will enter into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (the vineyard), be led out on Good Friday (thrown out of the vineyard), and be killed on the cross. The Lord’s vineyard (the New Jerusalem and Kingdom of God) will be taken away from the old tenants (the religious authorities – the chief priests and the Pharisees) and entrusted to the new tenants (the Apostles and disciples of Jesus). Jesus is the stone, rejected by the builders, who has become the cornerstone of the New Temple. 

3. The Love of God for Us: The parables of Jesus usually have a twist to them. It is borderline crazy that the landowner would send his son. After sending servants who were maltreated and even killed, why would the landowner send his son? Why would God the Father send his Son? John’s Gospel provides an answer: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17). The Son was crucified, but that is how he established the New Kingdom that has been entrusted to new people to produce new fruit. And so, yes, the landowner, from a merely human point of view, seems crazy. But from a divine perspective, the parable reveals the patient, merciful, relentless love of God for his people.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I unite my life and my sufferings to yours. All that I am, I offer to your Father and my Father. I humbly ask that you present my offering to the Father today and purify it with your love.

 

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

“Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:42

Are you among those from whom the Kingdom of God will be taken away? Or among those to whom it will be given so as to produce good fruit? This is an important question to sincerely answer.

The first grouping of people, those who will have the Kingdom of God taken away from them, are represented in this parable by the tenants of the vineyard. It is clear that one of their greatest sins is greed. They are selfish. They see the vineyard as a place through which they can enrich themselves and care little about the good of others. Sadly, this mind frame is easy to adopt in our own lives. It’s easy to see life as a series of opportunities for us to “get ahead.” It’s easy to approach life in a way that we are constantly looking out for ourselves rather than sincerely seeking the good of others.

The second grouping of people, those to whom the Kingdom of God will be given so that it will produce good fruit, are those who understand that the central purpose of life is not to simply enrich themselves but to share the love of God with others. These are the people who are constantly looking for ways that they can be a true blessing to others. It’s the difference between selfishness and generosity.

But the generosity to which we are primarily called is to build up the Kingdom of God. This is done through works of charity, but it must be a charity that is motivated by the Gospel and has the Gospel as its ultimate end. Caring for the needy, teaching, serving and the like are all good only when Christ is the motivation and end goal. Our lives must make Jesus more known and loved, more understood and followed. In fact, even if we were to feed a multitude of people in poverty, care for those who were sick, or visit those who were lonely, but did it for reasons other than to ultimately share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then our work would not produce the good fruit of building up the Kingdom of Heaven. In that case, we would only be philanthropists rather than missionaries of the love of God.

Reflect, today, upon the mission given to you by our Lord to produce an abundance of good fruit for the upbuilding of His Kingdom. Know that this can only be accomplished by prayerfully seeking out the way God is inspiring you to act. Seek to serve His will alone so that all you do will be for God’s glory and the salvation of souls.

My glorious King, I pray that Your Kingdom will grow and that many souls will come to know You as their Lord and God. Use me, dear Lord, for the upbuilding of that Kingdom and help all my actions in life to bear abundant and good fruit. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Friday 2nd week of Lent 2025

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you carefully direct the course of history. You knew how the story of Joseph would end and permitted him to suffer and be tested. You knew everything that would happen to your Son and his

Encountering the Word of God

1. God Sent the Prophets: Today’s Gospel parable summarizes the history of Israel in just a few lines. A landowner planting a vineyard refers to God establishing Israel as his people. The hedge refers to the walls of Jerusalem. The leasing to tenants refers to God entrusting the people of Israel to its leaders, rulers, kings, priests, and elders. The sending of servants refers to the sending of prophets to Israel and Judah. Instead of listening to the prophets and turning from idolatry, the people of Israel and Judah maltreated the prophets of God. Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were all persecuted by the people they ministered to. The last prophet before Jesus, John the Baptist, was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa. How do I heed the words of the prophets in my life?

2. God Sent his Son, the Rejected Stone: The Gospel parable, pronounced by Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, prepares us for and makes us look ahead during Lent to the celebration of Holy Week, when the Son of God will enter into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (the vineyard), be led out on Good Friday (thrown out of the vineyard), and be killed on the cross. The Lord’s vineyard (the New Jerusalem and Kingdom of God) will be taken away from the old tenants (the religious authorities – the chief priests and the Pharisees) and entrusted to the new tenants (the Apostles and disciples of Jesus). Jesus is the stone, rejected by the builders, who has become the cornerstone of the New Temple. 

3. God Brings Out Good from Evil: The First Reading tells the story of Joseph and how he was sold by his brothers into slavery. It is a foreshadowing of the betrayal of Judas, who sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The story of Joseph does not have a tragic end. In fact, when Joseph was reunited with his brothers, he told them that God was behind everything and brought about good from evil: “God sent me here before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:4). Joseph was able to forgive his brothers and see that his sufferings were permitted by God and foreseen to bring about a great good. God the Father will do even greater things through the sufferings of his Son, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from sin and death through his suffering on the Cross.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I unite my life and my sufferings to yours. All that I am, I offer to your Father and my Father. I humbly ask that you present my offering to the Father today and purify it with your love.

 

Friday 2nd week of Lent:

Opening Prayer: Lord, help me to pray well to overcome my selfishness. Instead of thinking of myself and my own comfort, enjoyment, and entertainment, help me to think first of the needs of others and especially how I might help them take a step closer to you today.

Encountering Christ:

1. For the Benefit of Others: The tenants in the parable used their talents for their own enjoyment, comfort, and entertainment, and they eventually lost everything. When Jesus created us, he gave us talents to use for a mission. Not only are we supposed to work to get ourselves to heaven, but the Lord also invites us to help bring others there as well. The talents and abilities we have are meant to be used for this task—not for our own profit. When we accomplish the Lord’s work, we are rewarded as people “that produce fruit.”

2. Am I Profitable for God?: The tenants could have used part of the fruits of their labor to take care of their personal needs (and they would have received even more than they needed), but these tenants wanted it all. In the same way, God allows us to use our talents to take care of our own needs as well as to enjoy life—after all, God ordered us not to work every single day, but to set aside the seventh day for worship, rest, and recreation. However, like the tenants in the parable, we are also expected to make a profit for him. Do we use our talent–our time, energy, intelligence, creativity–for his profit? This is the way we love the Lord with our “whole heart and with all my soul and with all my mind and with all my strength” (cf. Mark 12:30).

3. Final Reckoning: Everything in the vineyard belonged to the landowner. The property was his. He planted the vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. All the tools belonged to him as well. The tenants provided only the labor. Our life is similar. We provide only the labor. None of the tools–our talents–belong to us. They come from God. He has the right to expect us to use them, not only for our own needs, but for his profit as well—for the good and salvation of those around us. He sends us people to remind us of this. Do we ignore them? Do we treat them the way the tenants treated the landowner’s servants? 

Conversing with Christ: Lord, so often I forget about you and end up focused on my own goals and desires. Yet you put me here to cooperate with you in your saving mission. You gave me the tools I need to fulfill this mission. Help me to remember this truth throughout my day, to “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks me for a reason for my hope” (cf. 1 Peter 3:15).

 

Friday 2nd Week of Lent- Here comes that dreamer! (Genesis 37:19)

In many ways, Joseph was naive and innocent. In his seventeen years of life, he had been protected and showered with love and special treatment by his father. He probably thought that the rest of the world loved him just the same. But his naiveté got him in trouble when he told his brothers about his dreams and showed off the beautiful coat his father had given him. He probably couldn’t imagine that they would be offended—he was the golden boy, after all!

Even though his brothers assaulted him and sold him into slavery, Joseph did not give up on God’s commandments. Even when he was falsely accused and jailed for molesting his master’s wife, he held firm to God. When in prison, his ability to interpret dreams became known to Pharaoh, who ultimately released him and raised him up to a position second only to his own. Just as Joseph believed he would, God brought good out of evil for him. And not only for himself but for all the people around him. In his new position, Joseph was able to save both Egypt and the Israelites from a devastating famine.

This is a classic story of good and evil: the goodness of Joseph contrasted with the evil done by his brothers and those who appear later in the story. This story tells us that though they may seem locked in a never-ending struggle, goodness eventually triumphs over evil. As Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “All things work for good for those who love God.” God always works good for those who love him. We should never let hard times keep us from turning to our Father and asking him to sustain us. If we always seek to do good and try to forgive those who harm us, miracles can happen—not only in our lives but in the lives of those around us. Let’s not run away from tough times but instead face them with faith and trust in God’s promises. Who knows what blessings God has waiting for us?

“Father, I surrender my life into your hands. When I get weary of fighting the good fight, lift me up and hide me in your presence. Keep me safe until I am able to praise and thank you once again.”

Suy Niệm Tin MừngThứ Năm Tuần 2 Mùa Chay

Suy Niệm Tin MừngThứ Năm Tuần 2 Mùa Chay: Luke 16:19-31 

Chúa Giêsu cho chúng ta một bài học hôm nay đó là ‘Hãy đặt Thiên Chúa làm trọng tâm” trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Như trong bài dụ ngôn, người giàu có đã tự đặt mình trên hết trước cả Thiên Chúa. Thiên Chúa chỉ là khoảng cách xa vời, không quan trọng đối với ông ta. Có lẽ chúng ta cũng có thể thấy được một chút “cái TÔI” của mình trong người đàn ông giàu có trong bài dụ ngôn hôm nay. Có lẽ chúng ta cũng đã đặt những thứ vật chất, danh vọng, ham muốn của chúng ta trước nghĩa vụ của chúng ta đối với Thiên Chúa và tha nhân, do đó mà bỏ quên đức bác ái.;

            Đối với ông Lazarus, người đàn ông nghèo khốn, thiếu thốn đủ mọi điều vì ông đã đau khổ quá nhiều về thân xác. Đôi lúc chúng ta tự nghĩ:  có lẽ Thiên Chúa đã quên và bỏ rơi ông Lazarus, trong khi đó Thiên Chúa lại thiên vị với người giàu có kia, vì Chúa đã ban nhiều ơn phúc cho người giàu có kia, người ta đã giàu mà Chúa còn cho được giàu có them.

Tuy nhiên, Lazarus, người đàn ông nghèo khó đó có một điều: đó là ơn cứu độ của Thiên Chúa. Ông chỉ biết tin tưởng và hy vọng vào một mình Thiên Chúa và chẳng có một thứ gì khác để ông ta phải phụ thuộc.  Đây không phải là lời đề nghị để chúng ta chối bỏ tất cả các thứ cần thiết, các nhu cầu thiết yếu của cuộc sống trong cuộc sống của chúng ta, nhưng một bài học giúp cho chúng ta biết rằng, sau hết chỉ có một điều là đáng quan trọng trong đời sống của chúng ta: đó là đặt tình yêu Thiên Chúa làm trọng tâm cho cuộc sống của chúng ta.

            Tin Mừng hôm nay nhắc nhở cho chúng ta biết rằng để đạt được Nước Trời, chúng ta cần quay về với Thiên Chúa và phải đặt chúng ta vào sự tùy thuộc hoàn toàn ở nơi Ngài.  Và ước muốn của chúng ta là được ở gần với Chúa và mang Chúa đến tới cho càng nhiều linh hồn càng tốt. 

Xin Chúa ban cho chúng ta có sự cố gắng trong các nỗ lực đem tình yêu Thiên Chúa đến với mọi người và chia sẻ tình yêu của Thiên Chúa với tất cả những người mà chúng ta gặp gỡ trong cuộc sống của chúng ta.

 

Reflection Thursday second week of Lent.: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus is advising us, in today’s Gospel, put him at the center of our lives. The rich man in the parable put himself first. God was distant, unimportant to him. Perhaps we can see a little of ourselves in the rich man. Perhaps we put material things ahead of our duties towards God and our neighbor, thus neglecting the virtue of charity.

            The poor man, Lazarus, was in need of a great deal. He suffered much. It would seem that God had forgotten him; whereas with the rich man, it would seem that God heaped blessing upon blessing on him. However, the poor man had one thing: his salvation. He hoped in God alone. What else could he depend on? This is not to suggest that we give up the necessities of life, but it goes to show us that in the end, only one thing matters: put ting God at the center of our lives.

            Today's Gospel reminds us that in order to gain the Kingdom of God, we need to turn to Jesus in complete dependence. It should be our one desire to be with Jesus and also want to bring to him as many other souls as possible. Let us make the effort to work hard to do all the good possible and to share Jesus' love with all those whom we meet on the road of life. Let us be Jesus' untiring apostle.

 

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. Luke 16:22–23

Money is dangerous, as are power, notoriety, physical beauty, and exceptional talent. All of these are often desired, sought after, and envied. In and of themselves, each has the potential for great good. But because of that, they also have the potential for great sin.

The Gospel passage above presents us with the eternal consequences of a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury, dressed in fine clothes, ate sumptuously every day, and hoarded his wealth. Lazarus, in stark contrast, was dirt poor, covered with sores, and longed to eat the scraps of food often given to dogs.

The story’s crux is that their lifestyles were reversed when they died. From the netherworld, a place of great torment, the rich man begged Abraham for relief and to raise Lazarus from the dead to warn the rich man’s five brothers. Abraham replies with perfect truth and justice: “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” With that, the story ends.

Which person would you rather be? If we removed everything from the story that took place after their deaths, most people would likely choose the life of the rich man. Only when we add the eternal consequences to the story does the choice become clear.

Is it possible to be rich and still attain Heaven? Or is it possible to have earthly power, beauty, and natural talents that lead to great success and notoriety in this life and still attain Heaven? Certainly it is, but only if the Gospel is embraced, regardless of your state. Whether a person is rich or poor, successful or not, beautiful, talented, or lacking in these, the question is the same for us all: Have I generously and wholeheartedly placed all that I am and all that I have at the service of God? Or have I made a god of passing things?

Even those who lack the “good” things mentioned above run the risk of seeing their lack of them as the source of their earthly misery. This is just as dangerous. The bottom line is that God must be our God, no matter who we are, what we have, how we are perceived, how we look, or what natural gifts we possess. Furthermore, our God-given virtues become the means by which we exercise God’s will in this world, in preparation for the next.

Money, power, notoriety, beauty, and talent are “dangerous” in that they tempt us to make them gods. They become true blessings when they are fully dedicated to the exclusive service of God and His will. Poverty and every worldly misfortune have the same potential for danger and blessing. When poverty or misfortunes in life are embraced and offered to God as a sacrifice for His glory, they produce abundant blessings. When they are disdained and perceived as obstacles to happiness, then we have turned that which we desire into a false god.

Reflect today on how fully you have dedicated your life to God and His holy will. Whether you are more like the rich man or poor Lazarus, hold nothing back from God’s grace. Your entire life, the good and the bad, must be united to Christ for the glory of God the Father. That is the one and only path to true eternal riches.

Lord of superabundance, every good thing comes from You. Please free me from my attachments and desires for the passing things of this world so that my life may become more selfless and sacrificial. I rededicate myself to You and the service of Your holy will so that my eternity will be one of unimaginable blessings. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Reflection Thursday second week of Lent 2026

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you know all things. Guide me along the path that leads to life with you. Protect me from danger and give me your grace to fight the good fight, finish the race, and receive the victorious crown of your glory.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Moses and the Prophets: As Jesus journeys to Jerusalem, he alludes through a parable to the death he will suffer in Jerusalem and to his glorious resurrection from that death. The parable was addressed in particular to the Pharisees, who were hypocritically behaving like the rich man, who was indifferent to the needs of the poor man, Lazarus, at his doorstep. Jesus refers to the hardness of heart of the Pharisees, who were not listening to Moses, to the first five books of the Bible, or to the prophets. What is worse, they were refusing to listen to Jesus, the Word and Son of God, who would be raised from the dead. The books of the Old Testament all pointed to Jesus, and the Pharisees were blind to this.

2. The Reversal of Fortunes: One of the themes that runs throughout the Gospel of Luke is the reversal of fortunes. This theme was announced early on in Mary’s Magnificat: God will humble the proud and powerful and raise up the poor, the humble, the outcast, and the lowly. In his Sermon on the Plain, Jesus pronounced a blessing on the poor and woe on the rich. Earthly blessings – wealth and pleasure – can easily lead to eternal suffering, while earthly suffering – poverty, sickness, persecution – can be a sure path to eternal happiness. This is because those who are rich are tempted to trust in themselves, while the poor tend to rely on the help of others, especially on the help of God. Had the rich man in the parable seen himself as a steward of earthly wealth and done all he could to help the less fortunate, he would have stored up heavenly treasure and likely enjoyed the gift of eternal life. Lazarus, who suffered in this life, was exalted, while the rich man, who was indifferent to others in this life, was cast down.

3. Listening to the Risen One: At the end of the parable, Jesus refers to his resurrection and the hardness of heart he will encounter. The rich man thought that his five brothers would listen to the warning of someone risen from the dead and repent from their evil ways. But Abraham responded: “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” This alludes to the future preaching of the Apostles who will proclaim Christ crucified and risen from the dead. While some will accept their proclamation and come to faith in Jesus, others will reject it and refuse to believe. What Jesus is saying is that if a person won’t listen to the Old Testament proclamation of Moses and the prophets, they aren’t likely to listen to and embrace the New Testament proclamation of the fulfillment of Moses and the prophets. 

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to see your face in the poor. Move my heart to have compassion on those who need my help. Do not let me be indifferent to you and the needs of my brothers and sisters.

 

 

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.” Luke 16:19–21

One of the reasons this story is so powerful is because of the clear descriptive contrast between the rich man and Lazarus. The contrast is not only seen in the passage above, it is also seen in the final outcome of each of their lives. In the first contrast, the rich man’s life seems much more desirable, at least on the surface. He is rich, has a home to live in, dresses in fine clothing and eats sumptuously every day. By contrast, Lazarus is poor, has no home, has no food, is covered with sores and even endures the humiliation of dogs licking his wounds. Which of these persons would you prefer to be?

Before you answer that question, consider the second contrast. When they both die, they experience very different eternal fates. When the poor man died, he was “carried away by angels.” And when the rich man died, he went to the netherworld, where there was ongoing torment. So again, which of these persons would you prefer to be? One of the most seductive and deceptive realities in life is the lure of riches, luxury and the fine things in life. Though the material world is not bad in and of itself, there is great temptation that goes along with it. In fact, it is clear from this story and from the many other teachings of Jesus on this topic that the lure of riches and its effect on the soul cannot be ignored. Those who are rich in the things of this world are often tempted to live for themselves rather than living for others. When one has all the comforts this world has to offer, it’s easy to simply enjoy those comforts without concern for others. And that is clearly the unspoken contrast between these two men.

Though poor, it is clear that Lazarus is rich in the things that matter in life. This is evidenced by His eternal reward. It is clear that in his material poverty, he was rich in charity. The man who was rich in the things of this world was clearly poor in charity and, thus, upon losing his physical life, he had nothing to take with him. No eternal merit. No charity. Nothing.

Reflect, today, upon that which you desire in life. Too often, the deception of material wealth and worldly possessions dominate our desires. In fact, even those who have little can easily become consumed with these unhealthy desires. Seek, instead, to desire only that which is eternal. Desire love of God and love of neighbor. Make this your only goal in life and you, too, will be carried away by angels when your life is completed.

My Lord of true riches, You chose to be poor in this world as a sign to us that true riches come not with material wealth but with love. Help me to love You, my God, with all my being and to love others as You love them. May I be wise enough to make spiritual riches my single goal in life so that these riches will be enjoyed for all eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Reflection Thursday second week of Lent 2025

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you know all things. Guide me along the path that leads to life with you. Protect me from danger and give me your grace to fight the good fight, finish the race, and receive the victorious crown of your glory.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Moses and the Prophets: As Jesus journeys to Jerusalem, he alludes through a parable to the death he will suffer in Jerusalem and his glorious resurrection from that death. The parable is addressed in particular to the Pharisees, who are hypocritically behaving like the rich man, who was indifferent to the needs of the poor man, Lazarus, at his doorstep. Jesus refers to the hardness of heart of the Pharisees, who are not listening to Moses – the first five books of the Bible – or to the prophets. What is worse, they are refusing to listen to Jesus, the Word and Son of God, who will be raised from the dead. The books of the Old Testament all point to Jesus, and the Pharisees are blind to this.

2. The Reversal of Fortunes: One of the themes that runs throughout the Gospel of Luke is the reversal of fortunes. This theme was announced early on in Mary’s Magnificat: God will humble the proud and powerful and raise up the poor, the humble, the outcast, and the lowly. In his Sermon on the Plain, Jesus pronounced a blessing on the poor and woe on the rich. Earthly blessings – wealth and pleasure – can easily lead to eternal suffering, while earthly suffering – poverty, sickness, persecution – can be a sure path to eternal happiness. This is because those who are rich tend to trust in themselves, while the poor tend to trust in the help of others, especially in the help of God. But had the rich man in the parable seen himself as a steward of earthly wealth and done all he could to help the less fortunate, he would have stored up heavenly treasure and likely enjoyed the gift of eternal life.

3. The Two Ways: The First Reading, from Jeremiah, sets forth the two ways we can follow in this life: the way of wisdom that leads to the divine blessing of life and the way of foolishness that triggers the curse of death. If we read Jeremiah in the light of the Gospel, we see that the rich man followed the way of foolishness in his earthly life and came to a tragic end in the life to come, while the poor man, Lazarus, followed the way of wisdom in his earthly life and attained the ultimate blessing in the life to come. The rich man trusted in human beings, sought his strength in earthly things, turned his heart from the Lord, and was like a barren bush, a lava waste, and empty wasteland. Lazarus trusted in the Lord as he suffered and was like a “tree planted beside the waters” that bore fruit. We know that we can unite our sufferings in this life to those of Christ and that this will bear abundant fruit for the Kingdom of God. God alone sees our mind and heart and will reward us according to our ways and the merit of our deeds, empowered by his grace.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to see your face in the poor. Move my heart to have compassion on those who need my help. Do not let me be indifferent to you and the needs of my brothers and sisters.

 

Reflection Thursday second week of Lent.

Opening Prayer: Lord, help me in this prayer to open my heart more and more to you so that I may begin to open it to others. They are your children. Help me to love them as you do. 

Encountering Christ:

1. Life Is Good!: The rich man enjoyed life. He had the finest clothes and the best foods. He had lots of money and he used it for his own benefit. Remember, the Jews believed that if a man was righteous, God would bless him with riches, health, and many other benefits. Perhaps this man was at peace, thinking that God had been pleased by the way he lived. Yet at his gate, there was someone who should have stolen his peace away. 

2. All for Me and None for You: Jewish people were taught that it was a good thing to give alms to the poor, and that they could be forgiven for sins by doing so. The rich man passed Lazarus every day and, as a Jew, his conscience should have prompted him to help, but he did nothing at all. Because he neglected Lazarus, the rich man was separated for all eternity by a great chasm from the bosom of Abraham. He had the wherewithal to beg for his brothers, but even those pleas were fruitless. By his covetousness while he was alive, he secured abject poverty for all eternity. It’s a good reminder for us that our actions each day have eternal consequences.

3. Am I the Rich Man?: Many of us lead comfortable lives. Does God see in us any semblance of what he saw in the rich man? How aware are we of the poor or needy who live nearby? We may not walk over them every time we enter our house, but perhaps we see them on our way to work or school or the supermarket. None of us can take care of all the needy people in the world, but we can certainly help them one at a time.

Conversing with Christ: Lord, open my eyes to see life as you see it. Show me how you want me to use my gifts for others, and where I may be holding back. You taught us the spiritual and corporal works of mercy and I know that these please you. May I seize the opportunity to serve everyone in my path, according to your holy will. 

 

Reflection Thursday second week of Lent.

We hear people say that life is a journey. People who say this have a point. Our life on earth ends when we die: an eternity follows. In the context of an eternity, our life on earth seems microscopic in the grand scheme of things.  And yet our eternity depends upon our life on earth.

  We can compare it to going to another country to work. What you do there and how well you do will determine the type of welcome and reception when you return home.  Did you do well in your work? Did your work in the other country help to secure your future and that of your family?  Were you rewarded for work well done or were your employers not satisfied with your work?  

   It is the same with our life.  We can consider our life as work outside of our heavenly and permanent home. In truth we are just transients, sort of passing through.  When our life ends, like a contract in a foreign country, we will be judged on how we have been and on what we have accomplished.  How we have been and what we have done in our lifetime will determine our eternity: reward or punishment.

   The parable of the rich man and the poor man Lazarus is a lesson and a warning for us.  As Abraham told the rich man, they have Moses and the prophets and indeed Christ himself. Do not say that we have not been taught and warned.