Nhiều
người trong chúng ta đang rơi vào trong cùng
một cái bẫy của ma quỷ trong xã hội này. Nhiều khi chúng
ta đã đồng ý về những
khái niệm chính của Kitô giáo nhưng chúng ta lại đưa ra một
cái nhìn khác về Giáo Hội hay chống đối lại những
tín lý của Giáo hội để chúng ta có thể tự do thoả mãn những ước muốn, những
tham vọng cá nhân riêng của chính mình, hay chúng ta chỉ muốn sống xu thời với
cái xã hội thực tại ngày hôm nay, tự do ly dị, rồi kết hôn với người khác, kết
hôn với người đồng tính, tự do ngừa thai
và phá thai để khỏi phải bận lòng… còn một số khác trong chúng ta không
đến nỗi tệ lắm, nhưng cũng có lúc chúng ta tự quay mình theo chiều gió mỗi khi
chúng ta phải đương đầu với các vấn nạn
thực tại của thế giới.
Ví dụ phổ biến nhất là hành vi của chúng ta trong
Thánh Lễ Chúa Nhật. Chúng ta có thể tìm thấy chính mình gật đầu đồng ý với các
bài đọc và các bài giảng trong Thánh Lễ Chúa Nhật
nhưng chúng ta lại có những hành động ngược
lại những điếu ấy trong phần còn lại của mỗi tuần.
Những
điều răn mà Chúa Giêsu dạy cho chúng
ta trong Tin Mừng hôm nay thực sự có cơ
sở căn bản cho đức tin của chúng
ta. Yêu mến Thiên Chúa với tất cả tấm lòng và tâm hồn của
chúng ta bằng cách lắng nghe Thiên
Chúa bằng tất cả tấm lòng, trái tim và linh hồn của chúng ta. Yêu
thương những người chung quanh ta
là bắt đầu việc tạo
dựng cá tính người Kitô hữu
của chính mình để chúng ta có thể trở
thành người tốt hơn, để chúng ta
có thể giúp đỡ cho những người khác nhiều hơn và có hiệu quả hơn.
REFLECTION
Many of us fall into that same trap. We would agree on the
major concept of Christianity but we would show a different side of ourselves
when real world issues confront us. Perhaps the most common example is our
behavior during Sunday Mass and the rest of the week. We may find ourselves
nodding in agreement to the readings and the Sunday homily but find ourselves
acting the opposite during the rest of the week.
The
commandments we read today are indeed the bases of our faith. But our Christian
character is not complete just because we have the commandments as our
foundation. The commandments can only have meaning when we motivate ourselves
to learn and practice the ways and teachings of Jesus. Loving God with all our
heart and soul starts with listening to God with all our heart and soul, loving
our neighbor starts with building our Christian character to be better people
so that we can do more for others.
Friday
of the Third Week of Lent
And
when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are
not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more
questions. Mark 12:34
Among the scribes and Pharisees, the scribe in today’s Gospel
stands out. He got it right, and Jesus praised him for his openness and
understanding. The scribe began by asking Jesus a question: “Which is the first
of all the commandments?” At that time, the scribes and Pharisees often debated
the question of which commandments were most important. From the Torah, the
first five books of the Old Testament, they derived 613 commandments. Among
them were the Ten Commandments and numerous ceremonial and civil laws by which
they were to abide. Some religious leaders taught that all 613 of the
commandments were equally important. In addition to these commandments,
rabbinic traditions also offered detailed commentary on how they were to be
fulfilled.
Jesus enters this debate and answers by quoting the Shema
from Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and Leviticus 19:18: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love
the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
These two commandments were clear articulations of the most central duties to
which we are called—love of God and love of neighbor. Furthermore, they were a
twofold summary of the Ten Commandments, the most important of the Old
Testament Laws.
While many scribes and Pharisees were scrupulous about keeping the
external law in a detailed and ritualistic manner, they often failed to
perceive and live its central meaning. Jesus clarifies this meaning in His
concise answer. He does not dismiss the importance of God’s many commandments
but highlights their central purpose. The ritualistic laws and moral
commandments, while essential, are ultimately means to an end; they direct us
to love. Jesus shows that love of God and neighbor is the true fulfillment of
the Law, uniting both aspects into one comprehensive commandment that sums up
everything God asks of us.
Jesus was not rejecting the necessity of the commandments
themselves but was emphasizing that their observance must flow from the heart.
God’s Law is not just about external compliance but about cultivating a heart
transformed by love. The laws and rituals of faith, such as fasting in Lent,
attending Sunday Mass, and going to Confession, have their rightful place in
our spiritual lives. They shape us and help keep us close to God. However, we
must always remember their deeper purpose: They are meant to foster a greater
charity for God and others. Without that charity, even the most rigorous
external observances can become empty.
Reflect today on how obedient you are to God’s Law. Most
importantly, ponder the depth of charity you have. True charity toward God and
neighbor will enable us to fulfill all external observance of God’s Law, but it
will not stop there. There is no limit to love. We can always increase it. We
must increase it. Charity, while requiring our active cooperation, ultimately
flows from God’s grace working within us. Without His grace, our efforts to
love are incomplete. If we understand this and seek to love with all our heart,
soul, mind, and strength, then, like this scribe, Jesus will say to us, “You
are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven.”
My loving Lord, You call us to love You with all our heart, mind,
soul, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. You fulfilled this
commandment perfectly, and You promise us the grace to do the same. Help me to
obey every detail of Your divine will and grant me the Gift of Understanding so
that I will understand and live Your Law in the way You intend. Jesus, I trust
in You.
Friday
of the Fourth Week of Lent 2026
Opening
Prayer: Lord God, many times you
point to the two divergent paths I can take. There is a path of selfishness and
pride that leads to death. And there is a path of love and humility that leads
to life. Teach me always to choose the path that leads to life with you.
Encountering
the Word of God
1.
The Prayer of the Pharisee: In
the Gospel, Jesus draws a contrast in the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax
Collector between two very different kinds of prayer. The prayer of the
Pharisee did not rise to God. In fact, the Pharisee “spoke this prayer to
himself.” He was self-absorbed and listed all the good things he was doing. He
tried to justify himself by comparing himself to the rest of sinful humanity:
“I’m not greedy like everybody else; I’m not dishonest like everyone else; I
haven’t committed adultery.” This prayer “to himself” and this list of the sins
he wasn’t committing did not bring about true justification. There was no true
humility, no true thanksgiving, no true praise, no true contrition, and no true
reconciliation. The Pharisee was blind to his own sins and imperfections. He
had a massive wooden beam in his own eye. Jesus concludes the parable by
foretelling a day when those who exalt themselves – like the Pharisee – would
be humbled. This means that Jesus does not give up on the Pharisees, who are
like the coin lost in the house of God. As the divine physician, Jesus knows
what medicine – that of humiliation – will cure the Pharisee of his pride,
narcissism, self-righteousness, and self-absorption.
2.
The Prayer of the Tax Collector: By
contrast, the prayer of the tax collector is marked by humility. He did not
raise his eyes to heaven but did raise his heart and prayer to God. His prayer
was simple and did not multiply words unnecessarily. He recognized simply: “I
am a sinner.” He didn’t try to justify his sins or make excuses for them. He
didn’t blame his failings on others. He trusted in his heavenly Father and, as
a son, requested good things from his Father: “Be merciful to me.” The tax
collector didn’t make promises he could not keep. He didn’t compare himself to
others. Jesus tells us that the man returned home justified. His family likely
noticed the change. Maybe he was more patient and gentler in his speech. Maybe
he was more affectionate and loving towards his wife. Maybe he strove to be
more just and fair with his clients. In any case, by humbling himself before
God in prayer, he was transformed and justified by God’s merciful grace.
3.
The Theology of Justification: One
key word in today’s Gospel is that of “justification” or righteousness. The
Pharisee thought he was justified and righteous – he represents someone who is
convinced of their own righteousness. The tax collector, however, was the one
who went home from the Temple “justified,” or “in a right relationship with
God.” Luke traveled with Paul, and we hear echoes of Paul’s teaching on
justification in the Gospel of Luke. Paul teaches in the Letter to the Romans:
“a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Rom 3:28). This
teaching is found in Jesus’ parable. “Indeed, the Pharisee boasts about
practicing works of the law such as fasting and tithing, but Paul reminds us
that no one may boast before God (Rom 3:27; 1 Cor 1:29). The Pharisee
represents those who are confident that they are just or righteous (Luke 18:9)
or who justify themselves (10:29; 16:15) but, in reality, are ‘ignorant of the
righteousness that comes from God … seeking to establish their own’ (Rom 10:3
RSV)” (Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke, 305). The Law of Moses was
unable to justify; humble faith in Jesus, however, justifies us, forgives our
sins, and saves us (Luke 7:50; 8:48; 17:19; 18:42; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians
1:21; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 13:38).
Conversing
with Christ: Lord Jesus, I can only offer
the sacrifice of my life as an acceptable sacrifice to the Father. I unite my
sacrifice to yours, asking humbly that you transform my poor offering. Teach me
to pray as I should and know that I am righteousness only by your grace and my
collaboration with it.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in
Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of
Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he
himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. John 7:1–2; 10
The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was one of three great feasts
during which the people made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem to
commemorate God’s saving action in their lives. This particular feast was to
commemorate the 40 years that the Israelites traveled through the desert and
dwelt in tents, or booths, as they wandered and were led by Moses. Therefore,
the feast is also referred to as the “Feast of Booths.” During the seven days
of this feast, people would set up tents (booths) around the Temple area and
live in them to commemorate the journey of their ancestors.
In the Gospel passage quoted above, we read that Jesus went up to
the feast secretly. Saint Augustine explains that this means that though Jesus
was present, the full revelation of His divine identity was hidden from many.
He was physically there, but many did not know Who He was.
That particular year, when the feast was half over, Jesus appeared
in the Temple area and began to teach. Many were amazed at His words, and
others thought He was possessed. After teaching the people, there was much
disagreement among them about our Lord’s identity. Jesus said to them, “You
know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the
one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from
him, and he sent me.” In that statement, Jesus essentially was saying that
among those listening to Him, some had come to faith in Him and discovered His
true identity as the Messiah, while others lacked the gift of faith and
remained blind to Him. To them, His divine essence remained a secret.
In a symbolic way, Jesus’ presence at the Feast of Tabernacles
reveals Him as the new Moses. It was Moses who led the people through the
desert for 40 years toward the promised land while they dwelt in tents. Our
Lord now took on that role of leading the people who were commemorating this
40-year journey by appearing in the Temple and pointing the people to Heaven,
the true Promised Land.
Today, our Lord continues to lead His people through the journey
of life by coming to each of us to teach us and to reveal His divine presence.
Some listen and believe and continue on the journey. To them, the secrets of
our Lord are revealed. Others do not believe and, as a result of their lack of
faith, fail to discover the hidden presence of our Lord all around them.
Reflect, today, upon the image of Jesus coming to you during your
long journey through the desert of this life. He initially comes to you in
secret, veiled in His true essence. As He teaches you, He desires to lift that
veil and reveal to You His true glory. He desires that you dwell with Him
through prayer and remain attentive to His Word. As you gaze upon our Lord,
reflect upon the question of how clearly you hear Him speak each day. He is
here, with you always. But are you with Him? Do you hear Him, believe in Him,
follow Him and serve Him? Do you allow Him to lead you every day toward His
promises of new life? Allow our Lord to pitch His tent next to yours so that
You will daily be attentive to His teaching and be led by Him to the glories of
Heaven.
My hidden Lord, You came to reveal to all people Your burning love
and invitation to eternal life. Please come and dwell with me during my journey
through life, and open my mind and heart to all that You wish to reveal. May I
know You fully and follow You to the Promised Land of Heaven. Jesus, I trust in
You.
Friday 3rd
week of Lent: 2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I love you above all things. I
desire to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I can only do
that with your grace. Give me the gift of your grace and pour your divine love
into my heart.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Testing the Lamb of God: The episode in the Gospel
took place between Palm Sunday and Passover. There is a very deep meaning to
the testing of Jesus during those days. The lambs to be slaughtered for
Passover were brought into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the first day of the week.
And they were examined throughout the week to make sure they were unblemished
and worthy of being sacrificed. The same thing happened to Jesus during Holy
Week. Like the lambs, he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus was then put
to the test throughout the week. The scribes, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees
all tested him and could not find any fault in him. The high priest did not
declare Jesus’ innocence. But Pontius Pilate did so three times: “I find no
guilt in him” (John 18:38; 19:4, 6)
2. Not Far from the Kingdom: The scribe tested Jesus,
the Lamb of God, with the “yoke” question about the Law. Every scholar of the
Law had an opinion on which of the 613 laws of Moses was the most important,
the one “yoke” on which all the other laws depended. Jesus answered that all
the other laws depend on the two laws of love: first, love of God above all
things (Deuteronomy 6:4); second, love of neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).
Elsewhere, Jesus teaches: “My yoke is easy and my burden light” (Matthew
11:30). This means that Jesus not only gives laws about love but also gives the
power to fulfill the New Law of Charity. The scribe was pleased by Jesus’
answer and added that love of God and neighbor was worth more than the
holocausts (burnt offerings) and sacrifices offered in the Temple. In response,
Jesus told the scribe that he was “not far from the Kingdom.” The scribe had
not yet entered into the Kingdom through faith in Jesus and Baptism, but he was
at the doorstep of the Kingdom.
3. Spiritual Flourishing: In the First Reading,
the prophet Hosea evokes many images of flowers, wheat, blossoming vines, olive
trees, cedar trees, and cypresses. God promises to heal the faithlessness
(defection) of Israel and transform the hearts of his people. The one God heals
with his love will blossom like the lily and have deep roots like the Lebanon
cedar. The root system of a cedar tree can reach down over 25 feet and spread
out 20 feet. The splendor of the person healed by God will be like the olive
tree, which can live thousands of years. The image of the verdant cypress tree
symbolizes a spiritual life that endures through all seasons – spring, summer,
fall, and winter. All of this flourishing in the spiritual life is first caused
by God: “Because of me you bear fruit.” Only when we are united to the vine of
Christ and pruned by God will we bear abundant fruit for the Kingdom of God
(John 15:1-8).
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I desire with
all my heart and soul to live according to the two commandments of love.
Enlighten my mind so that I know how I should love both God and neighbor and
strengthen my heart to give my life for others.
Friday of the Third Week of Lent- 2023
Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, you desire mercy and not
sacrifice. Teach me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength,
and to love my neighbor as myself.
Encountering Christ:
1. Love God with All Your Heart, Soul,
Mind, and Strength: Christianity is not for the weak-willed. Loving the
Lord with heart, soul, and mind takes strength, fortitude, and perseverance. To
others, it may seem that spending time in daily prayer is simply frittering
away time that could be used more productively, but Christians know from
experience that giving the Lord the first fruits of the day is the very best
use of time. It’s calisthenics for the soul and requires a strong-willed,
loving heart.
2. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself: We
tend to be very self-aware, knowing what delights us, how we like to spend our
free time, and what consoles us. Do we know these things about our neighbor
(understood as family members, friends, and those who live nearby)? Fewer than
half of American adults know most or all of their neighbors (Pew Research
Center). As Christians, we are called to love our neighbor, and the first step
is to get to know their names. May we be builders of strong Christian
communities for the glory of God.
3. You Are Not Far from the Kingdom of
God: Imagine hearing these words from the mouth of Jesus. Could there be a
greater consolation on this side of heaven? The scribe in this Gospel knew the
commandments and came to Jesus with a sincere question. He also showed by his
spontaneous proclamation that he had been imbued with wisdom from the Holy
Spirit, as Jesus acknowledged when he “saw that he answered with
understanding.” We follow the scribe’s example when we strive to know our faith
and, in prayer, listen attentively to Jesus as he inspires us with word,
sacrament, and life circumstances to understand heavenly truths. Then we, too,
can be assured of wisdom and understanding as we are drawn more deeply into the
kingdom of God.
Conversing with Christ: Dearest Jesus, grant me the virtues of
fortitude and perseverance to strengthen my heart, mind, and soul. With this
strength, I will be able to concern myself with the needs and interests of my
neighbor so that I may sincerely love others.
.
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