Hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu đã
đưa ra cho chúng ta ba lời khuyên: Lời khuyên đầu tiên, "Không đem vật
thánh cho cho chó, hoặc ném ngọc trai trước mõn lợn.
Chúa Giêsu đã cho chúng ta thấy sự tương phản giữa vật hiếm
quý như ngọc trai và của thánh, và những con vật dơ bẩn như chó và lợn. Ngọc
trai là vật có giá trị rất lớn và thậm chí được coi là vô giá được đem ra so với
sự thánh thiện bởi vì Thiên Chúa là đấng thánh, là tất cả, Ngài mời gọi chúng ta đến để chia sẻ sự thánh
thiện vô cùng quý báu và vô giá, ở đây Chúa Giêsu muốn nói đến sự quan tâm của
Ngài là Đức tin trong sự tinh khiết. Một đức tin mà đã được Thiên Chúa thánh
hóa.
Theo các giáo huấn của Giáo hội đã dạy: Không ai được nhận lãnh Mình và Máu Thánh
Chúa ngoại trừ những người đã được rửa tội và đã xưng tội, dọn mình sạch sẽ, vì
thế mà Chúa đã nói: "Không cho chó những gì là vật thánh" Chúa Giêsu
mời gọi chúng ta đến tham dự vào bàn tiệc Thánh với Người, nhưng chúng ta phải
đến một cách xứng đáng.
Chúa Giêsu đã tóm lược giáo lý trong Cựu Ước "bất cứ
điều gì bạn muốn người ta làm cho bạn, bạn hãy làm như vậy với họ" (Mt
7:12). Luật yêu thương không phải chỉ là đòi hỏi bạn tránh gây thương tích hoặc
gây tổn hại cho người khác, Nhưng tình yêu tuyệt vời là một tình yêu đòi hỏi vô
điều kiện và Tình yêu này phải được tỏ ra cho tất cả mọi người.
Nếu chúng ta có thể làm cả những gì điều trên, chúng ta
đã đi đúng đường mà Chúa muốn. Con đường dẫn chúng ta đến cuộc sống đời đời.
Chúa đã cho chúng ta sự tự do lựa chọn con đường mà chúng ta sẽ đi, Con đường rộng
thênh thang hay con đường nhỏ hẹp gồ gề khó đi.
Xin Chúa cho chúng ta được khôn ngoan để chọn con đường sẽ dẫn đến cuộc
sống đời đời hơn là con đường dẫn đến cái chết và sự tiêu diệt. Nếu chúng ta để
tình yêu và sự khôn ngoan của Thiên Chúa cai trị tâm hồn chúng ta, chúng ta có
thể tin tưởng vào sự hướng dẫn và ân sủng của Người để đi theo con đường của
tình yêu và sự thánh thiện
Reflection Tuesday 12th
Odinary Gospel Mt
7:6, 12-14
Today, the Lord makes
three recommendations. The first one, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or
throw your pearls before swine”. Second one: “Do to others whatever you would
have them do to you”. And the third one is: “Enter through the narrow gate.” Jesus
makes a contrast in which “assets” are associated with “pearls” and to what “is
holy”; and “dogs and pigs” to what is impure. Pearls were of very great value
and even considered priceless. The same with holiness because God is all-holy
and he invites us to share in his holiness which is very precious and priceless
as well. Jesus’ concern here is purity, the purity of the faith which has been
entrusted to us by God the most holy.
The early church referenced this expression with the Eucharist.
According to the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, a first century church manual
stated: Let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized into
the name of the Lord; for, as regards this, the Lord has said, 'Do not give
what is holy to dogs.' The Lord Jesus invites us to his table, but we must
approach worthily.
Jesus summed up the teaching of the Old Testament law “So
whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them” (Matthew 7:12). The
law of love requires more than simply avoiding injury or harm to one's
neighbor. Perfect love, a love which is unconditional and which reaches out to
all, always seeks the good of others for their sake and gives the best we can
offer for their welfare. When we love our neighbors and treat them in the same
way we wish to be treated. Loving God with all that we have and are and loving
our neighbor as ourselves. How can we love our neighbor selflessly and show
them kindness and concern for their welfare?
If we empty our hearts of all unkind and unloving thoughts and
sentiments, then there will only be room for kindness, goodness, charity, and
mercy. Saint Paul reminds us in the letter to the Romans that "God's love
has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to
us" (Romans 5:5). It is the love of
God that fuels our unconditional love for others, let the Holy Spirit transform
our life with the purifying fire of God's love.
If we can do both what recommends above, we are on the right track the
way that leads to fulfillment and life versus the way that leads to destruction
and death. The Lord gives us freedom to choose which way we will go. Ask him
for the wisdom to know which way will lead to life rather than to death and
destruction. In the book of Deuteronomy teach us: “See, I have set before you
this day life and good, death and evil. ...Therefore choose life that you and
your descendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). If we allow God's love and
wisdom to rule our hearts, then we can trust in his guidance and grace to
follow the path of love and holiness.
Tuesday of the Twelfth
Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus said to his
disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to
pieces.” Matthew 7:6
Today’s Gospel contains
one of Christ’s more difficult teachings. At first glance, His words seem
harsh. Yet they reveal a profound truth: the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
require a heart properly disposed to receive them. Divine truths are not to be
offered indiscriminately, especially to those who would treat them with scorn
or hostility. Faith is essential to receive and understand the deeper mysteries
of God. Jesus expressed a similar principle at the Last Supper when He told the
Twelve: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he
comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth” (John 16:12–13).
Though Jesus, as the
eternal Word of God, possessed perfect and complete knowledge of divine truth,
He did not reveal everything to His disciples all at once. Had He done so, they
might have been overwhelmed. Even His closest followers often struggled to
grasp His teachings, misunderstanding His words and resisting difficult truths.
Yet Christ unveils the mysteries of His Kingdom gradually, according to each
person’s ability to receive them.
The divine mysteries are
so deep, vast, and profound that we will only fully comprehend them when we
behold God face to face in the Beatific Vision. Until then, His deeper truths
remain veiled. This does not mean we should cease seeking them; rather, as we
grow in faith and knowledge of God, He lifts the veil little by little, drawing
us closer to Himself. As we progress in holiness, He perfects within us the
spiritual Gift of Wisdom, which ultimately deepens our love for Him.
The pearls Jesus refers
to symbolize these divine mysteries—treasures of divine Wisdom that must be
sought, cherished, and received with reverence. This principle of gradual
revelation is also seen in the ministry of Saint Paul. After his dramatic
conversion, Paul received extraordinary spiritual insights, yet he recognized
that his listeners were not always ready for the fullness of divine teaching.
To the Corinthians, he wrote: “Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual
people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid
food, because you were unable to take it” (1 Corinthians
3:1–2).
Like Saint Paul, when God
grants us glimpses of His divine Wisdom, we must treasure these revelations,
ponder them in faith, and allow Him to deepen His communication with us. At the
same time, as we share our faith with others, we must be mindful of their
openness and capacity to receive what is holy—the pearls of divine truth.
Though the saving message of the Gospel must be preached to all, the deepest
mysteries are attained only through prayer and an interior receptivity to
grace.
When Jesus warns, “Do not
give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine…”, He is not
discouraging evangelization. Rather, He is teaching us that not everyone is
immediately receptive to the hidden mysteries of the Gospel. Some might reject
it outright, treat it with indifference, or even respond with hostility. Thus,
just as Saint Paul recognized the need to nourish spiritual infants with milk,
not solid food, we too must exercise prudence in sharing the deepest divine
truths, ensuring that they are offered in a way that hearts are prepared to
receive.
Reflect today on your own
openness to God’s eternal truth. Are you like an infant in need of spiritual
milk? If so, drink that milk eagerly, allowing it to nourish your soul. As you
mature in faith, devote more time to prayerful contemplation of God’s Word,
seeking His wisdom with a receptive heart. If God entrusts you with the role of
feeding others, do so with love and gentleness, discerning the pearls God wants
you to share. Only by first being receptive ourselves will we be prepared to be
the instruments and evangelists that God calls us to be.
Lord of Eternal Wisdom,
the mysteries of faith are vast and beyond my comprehension without Your grace.
Draw me ever closer to You, unveiling Your hidden presence and the precious
pearls of Your Truth. Deepen my understanding, that I may ponder Your mysteries
with a receptive heart. As I grow in faith, use me as You will to nourish
others according to their need, leading them ever deeper into Your divine
Wisdom. Jesus, I trust in You.
Tuesday of the Twelfth
Week in Ordinary Time 2026
Opening Prayer: Lord
God, you have entrusted me with awesome gifts. I am a steward of the sacred. I
have received the natural gift of life and the supernatural gift of eternal
life. I receive the Body and Blood of your Son in the Eucharist and your mercy
in Reconciliation. Do not let me cast these gifts away but guide me to use them
as I journey on the narrow path to you.
Encountering the Word of
God
1. Bringing the Sermon to
a Close with the Golden Rule: In Matthew 7, Jesus begins to conclude the
Sermon on the Mount with a series of insights into how we should live in the
Kingdom of God. The Gospel Jesus preached, and the Kingdom he established, are
holy and like pearls entrusted to us. Jesus commands us not to misuse or waste
these gifts. We should not profane what is sacred. Jesus summarizes his
teaching in the Sermon on the Mount with the golden rule: “Do to others
whatever you would have them do to you.” Ultimately, what we desire is love –
to be in a loving relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. We
want God and others to be merciful toward us, and so we are called to practice
mercy. We want to be forgiven by God and by others, and so we are called to
forgive. We want God and others to be truthful, faithful, and just, and so we
are called to be truthful, faithful, and just. We want others to use their
material wealth for the good of society and the poor, and so we are called to use
our material goods properly.
2. The Narrow Gate: Human
life is often presented in the Bible as a choice between two ways. For example,
the story of Adam and Eve centered on a choice. They could choose to love and
obey God and eat from the Tree of Life, or they could reject and disobey God
and eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In the Book of
Deuteronomy, Moses placed before the People of Israel death and misery, life
and happiness (Deuteronomy 30:1-5). He urged them to choose life! Jesus also
uses the image of two different paths that lead to two different outcomes.
There is a wide gate and road that many choose, which leads to destruction and
death. There is also a narrow gate and road that few find, which leads to
flourishing and life.
3. Walking the Way of
Christ: The narrow gate and path are not merely a set of rules; they are
the person of Jesus Christ himself: He is the Way. To enter through the narrow
gate and to walk on the path that leads there is to embrace the way of
discipleship revealed in the Sermon on the Mount. It means choosing humility
over pride, forgiveness over resentment, generosity over selfishness, and trust
in God over anxiety. The broad road is attractive because it requires little
sacrifice and allows us to follow our own desires of pleasure, possessions, and
power. The narrow way, however, calls for conversion and perseverance in
self-denial, renunciation, and humility. It is the path that leads to true
freedom, for it conforms us to Christ and prepares us for communion with God.
Every day presents countless opportunities to choose between these two ways. By
God’s grace, each act of faith, hope, and charity becomes another step along
the road that leads to life.
Tuesday of the Twelfth
Week in Ordinary Time
“Enter through the narrow
gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and
those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the
road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13–14
Is fear helpful? That
depends. It depends upon which form of fear we are speaking of. First, there is
a form of fear that is contrary to faith. It’s a fear that leads us to doubt
and even despair. It’s a fear that results from the attack of the evil one and
others who may sin against us. This form of fear is unhealthy and must be
overcome through a faith that turns to our Lord with the utmost confidence and
hope.
But there is also a holy
fear that is most useful and one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Recall
the Proverb that says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 9:10). At a
minimal level, this holy fear makes you aware of your sins and the consequences
of those sins, especially serious sin. And this holy fear leads you to fear the
punishment that results from sin, leading you to avoid serious sin. But the
ideal form of “fear of the Lord” we must strive for is “filial fear,” which is
the holy fear of a son or daughter of God. This fear is one that is grounded in
a profound love of God and leaves you so filled with a wonder and awe of the
glory, goodness and majesty of God that you are filled with a desire to please
Him and give Him great glory with your life. Thus, this “fear” leads you to a
desire to avoid even the smallest of sin, because, in your love of God, you not
only want to avoid offending Him, you also want to honor Him to the greatest
extent possible.
The Scripture passage
above should lead us to, at a minimum, a fear of not entering the gate to the
“road that leads to life.” It is useful to consider Jesus’ teaching in a very
straightforward way. Jesus essentially says that it is quite easy to walk through
the gate that is “wide” and down the road that is “broad” in this life. In
other words, it’s exceptionally easy to embrace a life of sin and head toward
“destruction.” Jesus further says that those who walk through this wide gate
and down this broad road are “many.” This fact should be the cause of our
honest daily examination. If this broad road is so easy, then we should
honestly admit that we can easily find ourselves walking it.
The “narrow gate” and the
“constricted” road are found and walked by only a “few,” according to Jesus’
words. Again, we should take notice of this and take it seriously. Jesus would
not say this if it were not true. Therefore, if the gift of the fear of the
Lord is alive in your life, and if you truly are a son or daughter of God, then
you will daily strive to be one of those “few” who find this narrow way to
holiness. And, ideally, you will do so out of your love for God and your desire
to give Him the greatest glory you can.
Reflect, today, upon this
challenging teaching of our Lord. Take Him at His word and evaluate your life
in light of this teaching. What are you doing in life to be certain that you
are one of those few who have begun to walk through this narrow gate? Does your
love for God leave you with such a wonder and awe of the greatness of God that
your deepest desire is to not only please Him but to glorify Him fully with
your actions? Strive to enter the narrow gate and the constricted road and do
not turn back. Though this requires much determination, sacrifice and love, the
goal and end of the road are worth it.
My most magnificent Lord,
You and You alone are worthy of all glory, honor and praise. May everything I
do in life lead to Your glory and may I avoid everything that harms my
relationship with You. I love You, dear Lord. Help me to love You and glorify You
with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.
No comments:
Post a Comment