Suy Niệm Thứ Năm Tuần Thánh

Suy Niệm Thứ Năm Tuần Thánh
Ngày Lễ Vượt Qua đầu tiên đã được cử hành trong ngày Thiên Chúa Yavê giải phóng con cái Israel khỏi ách nô lệ và tù đày của người Ai cập. Đó là cách Thiên Chúa đã trực tiếp giải cứu dân của Ngài thoát khỏi sự nô lệ và được sống tự do; cuộc sống mới tự do đó là được sống gần gũi trong vòng tay thương yêu của Thiên Chúa.
Thánh Phaolô nói về Bữa Tiệc Ly của Chúa Giêsu theo như cách Lễ Vượt Qua, bằng cách tập hợp lại với nhau trong sự hiệp nhất, từ bi, bình đẳng và thông cảm, Tất cả những người đã tin vào Chúa đã trải nghiệm được thế giới mới ngay cả khi họ còn sống. Bữa Tiệc Ly của Chúa Giêsu cũng kính nhớ mỗi ngày như là một dấu chứng của thế giới. Thánh Phaolô đã phải  giận dữ vì những người đã sử dụng Thánh Thể cho những mục tiêu cá nhân hay chủ đích ích kỷ và làm giảm đi cái ý nghĩa của Bí tích Thánh Thể này.Việc rửa chân trong Bữa Tiệc Ly không được viết vào kinh thánh để chúng ta có thể coi đó như một nghi lễ  của ngày Thứ Năm Tuần Thánh, nhưng đó là một mô hình cho đời sống Kitô hữu; Với việc phục vụ trong sự khiêm tốn và yêu thương, không phô trương, ích kỷ và thích thống trị người khác. Đó sẽ là kim chỉ nam để chúng ta sống mỗi ngày, không phải là chỉ sống trong Tuần Thánh mà thôi, nhưng mỗi ngày trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Đó là ý nghĩa của Phép Thánh Thể; đó là đức tin Công Giáo của chúng ta. Chúng ta thường không rửa chân cho nhau, vậy chúng ta có thể làm gì để thể hiện sự kính trọng hay tôn trọng lẫn nhau? Chắc là chúng ta sẽ có cơ hội này mỗi ngày? Bí Tích Thánh Thể hay Bữa Tiệc Ly của Chúa không chỉ là một nghi thức, nhưng đó là một lối sống.
Lạy Chúa, xin cho chúng con được giải thoát khỏi những thái độ tự kỷ và phô trương của chúng con và dạy cho chúng con iết khiêm tốn phục vụ Chúa và tha nhân một cách yêu thương và tạn tình.
 
REFLECTION SG 2018
 The first Passover celebrated the liberation of the children of Israel from slavery and danger. It was a passage from one type of life to another — the new life being one of freedom and the experience of God’s nearness and compassion. Paul talks of the Lord’s Supper in the same way; by gathering together in unity, compassion, equality, and empathy, believers experienced the world to come even while still alive. They also served as a sign to the world. Paul’s anger targeted those who used it for selfish ends, thereby weakening it as a sign.
The foot washing at the Last Supper was not written into the bible so that we could have a Holy Thursday ritual. It is a model of Christian life — humble and loving service, free of ego, self-seeking, and domination.
It is to be lived every day, not just during Holy Week. It is what the Eucharist means; it is what our Christian faith means. We don’t literally wash feet very often — what sort of things can we do to show the same reverence and respect for others? We will be given opportunities every day. The Eucharist or Lord’s Supper is more than a ritual, it is a way of life.  Lord, May I be freed of my egoistic and self-seeking attitudes and serve You lovingly.
 
Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Year B)
“This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the LORD, as a perpetual institution.” Exodus 12:11
The holy Triduum begins. Today we fulfill this Old Testament passage, revealing that the Passover would become “a perpetual institution.” This passage concludes our First Reading instruction from the LORD given to Moses and Aaron on how to prepare for the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt. Plague after plague had been inflicted upon the Egyptians, and none of them resulted in the Israelites being set free. Therefore, the LORD instructed the Israelites to celebrate the first Passover by killing a year-old lamb, sprinkling its blood on their doorposts, and feasting on the flesh in preparation for the journey to the Promised Land. Today, we continue this Passover celebration as we share in the Sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Whose Blood has been shed, Whose flesh we consume, and Who leads us through the desert of life to the new and eternal Promised Land of Heaven.
Just as the first Passover was a prefiguration of the Sacrifice of the Lamb of God, so also the plagues that led up to the Passover present us with much meaning. At first, all the water in Egypt turned to blood. Then frogs, gnats, flies and pestilence covered the land. Boils covered the skin of humans and animals. Hail rained down, locusts covered the land, and finally darkness covered the land for three days. None of these plagues was ultimately successful in convincing Pharaoh to let God’s people go; therefore, the final plague to be inflicted was the death of the firstborn. It was the blood of the paschal lamb, sprinkled on the doorposts of the Israelites’ houses that signaled to the angels to pass over their homes.
The plagues inflicted on Pharaoh and the Egyptians were severe. But because of their obstinacy, God continued until they changed. Recall, also, that even after the Israelites were set free, Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them into the Red Sea where his army perished.
Though these prefiguring events might not be that pleasant to consider, they must be reflected upon. We must see in them God’s tireless and relentless efforts to set us free from sin. The obstinacy and oppression of Pharaoh are  clear signs of the oppressive evil within our world today, and within our own souls. When we seek to embrace the freedom to which we are called, we will be met with much temptation and oppression from the evil one, as well as from our own fallen human nature. But if we trust in God, as Moses did, then we will be given all we need to begin the journey to freedom. Most specifically, the Flesh and Blood of the Son of Man is our Paschal Lamb. The Eucharist, which was instituted on Holy Thursday, protects us from the final death. Consuming the Body of Christ also strengthens us for our spiritual journeys. Without it, we have no protection from the evil one and lack the strength we need to be faithful on our journey.
Reflect, today, upon God’s incredible commitment to set you free. He came to earth, took on human form, offered His life in sacrifice, and now feeds you with His sacred flesh. Without the Eucharist as your spiritual food and His Sacred Blood covering you, you will not survive. We all need the Eucharist. We need the Bread of Heaven. We need the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Savior of the World. God went to the greatest length to save you. Accept His Gift that we especially commemorate and participate in today.
My Sacrificial Lamb, You came to earth to set us free from the oppression of the evil one and from the disorders of our fallen human nature. Please feed me today and always with Your Sacred Body and Precious Blood. By the strength of this Food from Heaven, continue to lead me to the Promised Land of Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Thursday of Holy Week 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have done marvelous things for us. As a good Father, you led us, your children, little by little into the mystery of redemptive sacrifice. The yearly sacrifice of the Passover Lamb was a symbol that pointed to the sacrifice of your only-begotten Son. Help me, on this Holy Thursday, to appreciate the depth of your love for me and all humanity.
Encountering the Word of God 
1. The Old Passover of the Lord in Egypt: The First Reading narrates the institution of the Passover sacrifice and meal. It became an annual memorial of Israel’s deliverance and exodus from Egypt. The meal consisted of roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. The Passover was just about the sacrifice of the lamb, it also included eating the flesh of the Passover lamb. The blood of the Passover lamb was also powerful and was an efficacious sign that protected the people of Israel from death. In Egypt, the Israelites celebrated the Passover as a domestic sacrifice, with the head of the household sacrificing the lamb and acting as a priest. Eventually, in the promised land, the Passover became a temple sacrifice and included a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. However, when the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70, the Passover began to be celebrated as a non-sacrificial banquet that could be celebrated anywhere. In Jesus’ day, the Passover included a feast of wine and the singing of hymns of praise (see Brant Pitre, Jesus and the Last Supper, 374-385). 
2. The New Passover of Jesus in Jerusalem: On the night before he died, Jesus transformed the Passover, which was the memorial of the first Exodus from Egypt, into the memorial of the New Exodus from sin. On that night, Jesus identifies the unleavened bread as his Body. His Body is given and sacrificed on our behalf to deliver us. We are commanded to eat his Body as a memorial. On that night, Jesus identifies the wine as his Blood. His blood is poured out in sacrifice on our behalf to forgive our sins. We are commanded to drink his Blood as a memorial. By speaking about eating his flesh, Jesus identifies himself as the new Passover Lamb, who is sacrificed for our sins. Jesus also links the shedding of his blood to the establishment of the New Covenant. His blood washes away our sins, cleanses our souls, and protects us from eternal death. Just as the first Passover set in motion the Old Exodus from the slavery of Egypt and led to the establishment of the Old Covenant on Mt. Sinai, the New Passover sets in motion the New Exodus from the slavery of sin and establishes the New Covenant.
3. Being a Servant to Others: In the Gospel of John, Jesus, on the night before he died, gave us the ultimate example of humble service. What is more, the humble act of washing his disciples’ feet symbolically anticipates his death on the Cross. Jesus cleanses, transforms, and renews us in such a way that his actions of self-giving, service, and charity become ours. Jesus’ actions unleash the dynamic of new life in us. This is what empowers us to live the new commandment of love. Jesus does not just give us an example to follow; his actions and self-giving actually empower us with the life-giving grace and virtue we need to do meritorious works of charity that lead us to eternal life.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. You ask me to follow your example of self-giving and charity. Empower me with your grace and Holy Spirit to do good works of charity and serve my brothers and sisters generously.
Living the Word of God: Offer thanksgiving in prayer for the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, and the gift of the Eucharist.
 
Suy Niệm Thứ Năm Tuần Thánh (John 13:1-15, Xuất Hành 12:1-8, 11-14)
Sự khiêm nhường tối thượng của Chúa Giêsu
Liệu tình yêu của chúng ta có bị nao núng khi chúng ta gặp phải những thất vọng cay đắng và đau thương nơi những người khác? Như những sự sỉ nhục mà Chúa Giêsu sẽ phải nhận, Ngài dậy cho các môn đệ một bài học về sự khiêm tốn bằng cách đã hạ mình một cách thật khiêm tốn để chứng tỏ tình yêu của Ngài đã dành cho họ.
            Chúa Giêsu đã hạ mình để làm một việc rất tầm thường một công việc dành cho những người tôi tớ thấp hèn là rửa bàn chân hôi thối và bẩn thỉu của những người môn đệ của mình. Trong khi cúi mình để phục vụ các môn đệ, Chúa Giêsu biết rằng có một trong số họ sẽ phản bội Ngài và bị tất cả các môn đồ này sẽ lánh xa, trốn chạy khi Ngài gặp hoạn nạn. Với sự hiểu biết như thế, đáng lẽ ra Chúa đã phải cay đắng và thù ghét họ phải phải. Nhưng Chúa Giêsu đã đáp ứng nỗi đau thương của sự phản bội và sự bất trung đó bằng sự khiêm tốn nhất với một tình yêu cao cà và tuyệt vời.
            Chúa Giêsu yêu thương các môn đệ của Ngài cho đến cùng, ngay cả khi họ bỏ rơi Ngài để chạy thoát thân. Chúa thương yêu mỗi người chúng ta một cách vô điều kiện. Tình yêu của Ngài có sức mạnh để giải phóng chúng ta để phục vụ cho người khác với lòng từ bi và sự khiêm tốn như Chúa Kitô. Liệu tình yêu của Đấng Cứu thế cai trị được tâm hồn và trái tim, trong sự suy nghĩ, ý định và hành động của chúng ta?
Saint Augustine đã viết: "Ngài có sức mạnh trong sự hy sinh mạng sống của mình, chúng ta thì ngược lại không thể chọn cuộc sống lâu dài của chúng ta, và chúng ta có thể chết ngay cả khi chúng ta không muốn hay chưa muốn chết. Còn Ngài, với cái chết, Ngài đã phá huỷ sự chết bằng chính cái chết của Ngài. Và chúng ta đã được giải thoát khỏi cái chết của chúng ta qua cái chết của Ngài. Thân xác của Ngài đã không có sự huỷ hoại, Thân xác của chúng ta sẽ thấy sự huỷ hoại và sau hết sẽ được mặc lấy Chúa Kitô trong sự bất tử vào ngày Tận Thế. Ngài không cần sự giúp đỡ của chúng ta để cứu chúng ta; nhưng không có Ngài, chúng ta không thể làm được gì. Ngài ban chính Ngài cho chúng ta, như những nhánh nho sống được là nhờ vào thân cây nho; Chúng ta cũng thế, không có Ngài, chúng ta không thể có được sự sống.
            Sau hết, như Chúa Kitô đã mang đến cho chúng ta sự tha thứ. Trong cách này, Ngài đã cho chúng ta không phải là một ví dụ để bắt chước, nhưng là một lý do để vui mừng. Vì cớ đó, mà chúng ta hãy phải yêu thương nhau như Chúa Kitô đã yêu thương chúng ta và phó mạng sống của mình cho chúng ta. "
"Lạy Chúa Giêsu, tình yêu của Chúa chinh phục tất cả và không bao giờ bị lỗi. Xin giúp chúng con biết yêu thương người khác một cách tự do, với trái tim đầy lòng nhân ái, từ bi, và sự tốt lành. Trong trường hợp nếu chúng con có bị tổn thương, Xin cho chúng con có thể gieo rãc hòa bình mà không phải là sự xung đột."
 
Meditation: Jesus' supreme humility
Does your love waver when you encounter bitter disappointments and injury from others? As Jesus' hour of humiliation draws near he reveals to his disciples the supreme humility which shaped the love he had for them. He stoops to perform a menial task reserved for servants - the washing of smelly, dirty feet. In stooping to serve his disciples Jesus knew he would be betrayed by one of them and that the rest would abandon him through disloyalty. Such knowledge could have easily led to bitterness or hatred. Jesus met the injury of betrayal and disloyalty with the greatest humility and supreme love.
Jesus loved his disciples to the very end, even when they failed him and forsook him. The Lord loves each of us unconditionally. His love has power to set us free to serve others with Christ-like compassion and humility. Does the love of Christ rule in your heart, thoughts, intentions and actions?
Saint Augustine of Hippo in his sermon for this day, wrote:
"He had the power of laying down his life; we by contrast cannot choose the length of our lives, and we die even if it is against our will. He, by dying, destroyed death in himself; we are freed from death only in his death. His body did not see corruption; our body will see corruption and only then be clothed through him in incorruption at the end of the world. He needed no help from us in saving us; without him we can do nothing. He gave himself to us as the vine to the branches; apart from him we cannot have life.
Finally, even if brothers die for brothers, yet no martyr by shedding his blood brings forgiveness for the sins of his brothers, as Christ brought forgiveness to us. In this he gave us, not an example to imitate but a reason for rejoicing. Inasmuch, then, as they shed their blood for their brothers, the martyrs provided "the same kind of meal" as they had received at the Lord's table. Let us then love one another as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us."
"Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help me to love others freely, with heart-felt compassion, kindness and goodness. Where there is injury, may I sow peace rather than strife?"
 

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần Thánh

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần Thánh
Tại sao Giu-đa đã phản bội Thầy của mình?
Sự phản bội của Giuđa được thúc dục bởi lòng tham lam, vì sự cay đắng và thất vọng với Chúa Giêsu? Hay có thể là vì sự hận thù, vì vỡ mộng?  Cũng có thể ông Giuđa đã nghĩ rằng Chúa Giêsu đã xúc tiến công việc của Ngài quá chậm và không quyết liệt trong việc thiết lập vương quốc của Ngài. Cũng có thể ông Giuđa không có ý định là muốn cho Thầy của mình chết vì ông ta nghĩ rằng thầy của mình là đấng có quyền phép, có thể tự cứu lấy chính mình khỏi tay quân dữ. Và cũng có lẽ ông Giuđa đã mưu mẹo ép buộc Chúa Giêsu phải ra tay hành động để giải cứu dân Do Thái khỏi ách đô hộ của người La Mã thời bấy giờ...Tuy nhiên thảm kịch của Giuđa là sự từ chối, không chấp nhận Chúa Giêsu như là Thiên Chúa của sự yêu thương, vị tha và khiêm tốn,.          
            Chúa Giêsu đã biết trước được những gì sẽ xảy ra và xảy ra với Ngài. Như trong bữa tiệc (Tiệc Ly) ăn mừng lễ Vượt Qua với mười hai tông đồ Chúa Giêsu đã đặt họ dưới sự giám sát và nghi ngại “một trong số các con sẽ phản thầy” để dạy cho họ chính họ biết tự kiểm điểm chính mình một cách đúng đắn, vì sợ rằng họ có tư tưởng cao ngạo và nghĩ rằng họ có sức mạnh hơn chính bản thân mà Thiên Chúa ban cho họ. Chúng ta cũng phải xem xét chính bản thân của chúng ta trong sự sáng của chân lý và ân điển của Thiên Chúa và cầu xin Ngài củng cố chúng ta trong đức tin, trong niềm hy vọng và tình yêu trong Ngài để chúng ta không thể làm cho Chúa của chúng ta phải thất vọng vì sự yếu kém, sợ sệt trong cơn ám dỗ mà chúng ta phải chối bỏ Thiên Chúa.
  Chúng ta hãy thành tâm cầu khấn với lòng tin kính chân thành vào lời Chúa Giêsu đã dạy để cho chúng ta can đãm vững tin mỗi khi chúng ta gặp phải những ơn cám dỗ. Như lời kinh chúng ta đọc mỗi ngày “Xin chớ để chúng con sa chước cám dỗ, nhưng cứu chúng con cho khỏi sự dữ (Mathêu 6:13)?
 
Meditation:
Why did Judas betray his Master? Was his treachery motivated by greed, bitter disappointment with Jesus, or hatred because of disillusionment? It may be that Judas never intended for his Master to die. Maybe he thought Jesus was proceeding too slowly and not acting aggressively enough in setting up his messianic kingdom. Perhaps Judas wanted to force Jesus' hand by compelling him to act. Nonetheless, his tragedy was his refusal to accept Jesus as he was.
   Jesus knew beforehand what would befall him. As Jesus ate the Passover meal with his twelve apostles he put them under trial and suspicion (one of you will betray me) to teach them to examine themselves rightly, lest they be high minded and think themselves more strong than they were. We, also must examine ourselves in the light of God's truth and grace and ask him to strengthen us in faith, hope, and love that we may not fail him or forsake him when we are tempted. Do you pray with confidence in the words Jesus gave us to pray: Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13)?
 
Wednesday of Holy Week
One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14–16
The desire for money can become a powerful incentive to betray our Lord. In this Gospel passage, it seems clear that Judas’ betrayal was based on his desire for money. He most likely had some level of faith in our Lord, or he wouldn’t have become His disciple. But even if Judas did have some level of faith, his desire for money appeared to overshadow the faith he may have had.
One of the central lessons we can learn from Judas is that the desire for money is a powerful incentive for the decisions we make. So many of the great saints have taught us that the path to holiness consists, first, in a purification of all our disordered affections. And since one of the most powerful attachments that many struggle with is an attachment to money, this is an important desire to purify in all of our lives.
It’s true that material possessions are not evil when they are used for the fulfillment of God’s will. But the desire for more, for an excess, will always cloud our ability to see clearly the will of God and live for His glory alone.
Once Judas had betrayed our Lord and Jesus was arrested, recall that Judas “deeply regretted what he had done.” And during Jesus’ trial, Judas went back to the chief priests and said “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood” in an apparent attempt to stop the trial. But Jesus’ death was set in motion and could not be stopped. As a result, Judas returned the money and sadly went off to hang himself (See Matthew 27:3–5).
The desire Judas had for money clouded his thinking. And his sin did to him what sin always does. As soon as his sin of betrayal was done, Judas saw the consequences of that choice. And the consequences grieved him deeply. He learned that choosing sin ends with an empty promise. He realized that thirty pieces of silver was not worth the value of his soul. But of course, even then Judas could have repented and received the mercy of God. But he didn’t. He simply ended his life in ultimate despair.
Reflect, today, upon the witness of Judas. Use him as a source of meditation and self-examination this Holy Week. What is it in your life that you desire more than our Lord? What temptation clouds your thinking and leads you to choices that you know will end in emptiness? Strive to eradicate every disordered desire within you this day and choose wisely the will of God instead. Do not let yourself continue to believe the lies that keep you from making Jesus and His holy will the one and only focus of your life.
My divine Lord, You and You alone must become the focus of my life. You and You alone are of the greatest value in life. Help me to shed all earthly desires in life so that I will not fall into the temptations that lead to empty promises and so that I will embrace the true and fulfilling promises that come from You. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Wednesday of Holy Week 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, from all eternity you knew you would call and commission your Beloved Son to expiate the sins of your people and restore them to communion with you. Help me to trust always in your divine plan and follow your will as your beloved child and servant. 
Encountering the Word of God 
1. The Prophetic Servant of the Lord: In Isaiah, the Servant of the Lord is called by God (first song), commissioned by God (second song), and disciplined by God (third song). The third song goes deeper into the mystery of the Servant’s prophetic mission and passion. The Servant speaks about his past obedience and sufferings as the disciple of the Lord and how he is confident that the Lord will vindicate him against his opponents. God has given his Servant the ability to speak eloquently, for he has a well-trained tongue, and encouragingly, for he can rouse the weary. The mission to the weary extends to all people: the Jews are weary under the burden of the Law of Moses and the Gentiles are weary under the burden of false idols. The Servant is instructed by God. He hears the word of God daily and communicates this word to all nations. The word that the Servant proclaims is not his own: “I have given them the words which you gave me” (John 17:8). 
2. The Plan of God: The Servant submits to suffering at the hands of men because he is obedient to the plan of God. Unlike the people of Israel, the Servant has not been rebellious or unfaithful, for he always does what is pleasing to God. At the hands of men, the Servant will be beaten on his back and scourged, his beard will be pulled out, and his face will be struck and spat upon. Through it all, the Servant is confident that God will help him. He will not be disgraced; he will not be put to shame. This confidence gives him fresh strength to endure the sufferings at hand: “I have set my face like flint.” The Servant addresses his adversaries and challenges them to confront him in a trial. He is sure that God will vindicate him. 
3. Judas’s Betrayal: Judas Iscariot becomes one of Jesus’ adversaries and opponents. Instead of confronting Jesus openly and seeking the truth, he sneaks away to betray him in secret. John tells us that Judas was a lover of money and a thief who stole from the community. Jesus taught that one cannot serve both God and money. You will love one and hate the other. Judas never fully accepted Jesus. He is labeled as the one who handed Jesus over after Peter’s confession of faith (John 6:71) and at the anointing at Bethany (John 12:4). Instead of confessing Jesus as the Messiah, the son of God, Judas prefers to seek his own gain from being associated with Jesus. Instead of honoring Jesus, the son of Man, Judas prefers to hide his greed through lying and deceit. Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus. He planned the betrayal in advance and agreed with Jesus’ enemies to the price of 30 pieces of silver. He executed the betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane with a kiss. Whether Judas betrayed Jesus out of greed or because he didn’t accept the way Jesus carried out his messianic mission, the important thing to realize is that Judas gave in to the temptation of the Evil One. Judas seemed to repent when he gave back the money, but his repentance degenerated into desperation and became self-destructive 
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to embrace the mystery of redemptive suffering. Help me to see how I can suffer with you and offer myself as a pleasing sacrifice to the Father.
Living the Word of God: Like the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ, we too are disciplined by God. We are taught by him and we learn obedience through our suffering. We are not always faithful like Jesus. Our infidelity is not a cause for despair, but an opportunity to return to God and fully embrace his love. How can I return to God this week and experience his love?

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Ba Tuần Thánh

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Ba Tuần Thánh
Đoạn Tin Mừng hôm nay đã cho chúng ta thấy hai nhân cách nổi bật và mỗi nhân cách có những đặc tính trái ngược nhau. Giuđa cố tình phản bội Thầy của mình, trong khi đó Phêrô, trong một những khoảnh khắc yếu đuối, sợ sệt đã chối Thầy mình bằng những lời thề.
Hành động của Giuđa có vẻ lạnh lùng và có tính toán. Còn Phêrô, tuy không cố tình chối Chúa những vì bản tính của ông hay bốc đồng, có thể là trong sự yếu hèn và nhút nhát. Chúa Giêsu hiểu rất rõ ông Phêrô và biết lòng trung thành một mực của ông cũng như những thiếu xót và yếu đuối của ông. Ông Phêrô có một thói quen trực tính là hay nói tất cả những ông ta suy nghĩ từ sự mộc mặc và chất phát trong tâm hồn của ông, ông không hề suy nghĩ hay tính toàn sự hơn thua. Sự Phản bội của Giuđa, tuy nhiên, được nhìn thấy một cách tồi bại nhất khi Chúa Giêsu biểu lộ tình cảm đặc biệt với ông ta ngay trong bữa tiệc ly.
Trong bài Tin Mừng Thánh Gioan cho chúng ta thấy rằng Satan đã nhập vào con người Giuđa khi anh 
ta từ bỏ Chúa Giêsu để theo đuổi con đường tham lam và bạo ác của mình. Satan xoay chiều và có thể biến sự yêu thương thành thù hận. Nó có thể biến sự thánh thiện thành niềm tự cao, ngạo mạn, biến sự hiền diệu, có kỷ luật thành con người tàn ác, gian manh, biến tình cảm vào sự tự mãn. Chúng ta cần phải đề cao, cảnh giác tâm hồn của chúng ta vì sợ rằng Satan sẽ đem chúng ta ra khỏi tình yêu của Thiên Chúa v àcon đường mà Thiên Chúa đã chọn cho chúng ta. 
Chúa Thánh Thần sẽ ban cho chúng ta những ân sủng, sức mạnh và hướng dẫn chúng ta trong thời gian
 thử thách. Nếu chúng ta  môn đệ của Chúa, chúng ta phải bước đi trong ánh sáng của chân lý, sự thật trong tình yêu của Ngài. Nếu chúng ta quay lưng lại Ngài,  chúng ta sẽ vấp ngã và rơi vào con đường  tội lỗi và bóng tối. 
    Chúng ta đã sẵn sàng để đi theo Chúa Giêsu trên đường đến thập giá?
 
REFLECTION Gospel Reading: John 13:21-38
The Gospel passage highlights two personalities, each with contrasting traits.  - Judas deliberately betrayed his Master while Peter, in a moment of weakness, denied him with an oath and a curse. - Judas' act was cold and calculated. Peter, however, never meant to do what he did. He acted impulsively, out of weakness and cowardice.
Jesus knew both the strength of Peter's loyalty and the weakness of his resolution. He had a habit of speaking with his heart without thinking through the implications of what he was saying.
- The treachery of Judas, however, is seen at its worst when Jesus makes his appeal by showing special affection to him at his last supper.               John says that Satan entered into Judas when he rejected Jesus and left to pursue his evil course. Satan can twist love and turn it into hate. He can turn holiness into pride, discipline into cruelty, and affection into complacency.
We must be on our guard lest Satan turn us from the love of God and the path which God has chosen for us. The Holy Spirit will give us grace and strength in our time of testing.  If we submit to Jesus we will walk in the light of his truth and love. If we turn our backs on him we will stumble and fall in the ways of sin and darkness.
    Are we ready to follow Jesus in his way of the cross?
 
Tuesday of Holy Week
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once.”  John 13:31–32
Jesus speaks this line about Himself being glorified immediately after Judas leaves the supper to go forth to betray Him. Jesus had just finished washing the feet of His disciples, and soon He would finish the Last Supper, go to the Garden of Gethsemane, be arrested, beaten and crucified. And this was to all take place through the betrayal of one of the Twelve. Yet rather than speak of these pending events in a fearful or anxious way, Jesus points to the glory He will receive through them.
Everything in life has the potential to become an instrument of the glory of God. Even our sin can end in God’s glory when we repent and receive God’s forgiveness. It will not be our sin that glorifies God but His mercy poured forth from the Cross upon us that gives Him glory.
The same is true with the events of Holy Week. When looked at from a purely human perspective, what Jesus endured was tragic and horrific. One of His closest companions betrayed Him. The religious leaders of the time betrayed Him. The civil authorities betrayed Him. And all of the disciples except John fled in fear as Jesus was betrayed. But Jesus did not look at any of this through human eyes alone. He saw it all from the eternal perspective and clearly taught that all of these seemingly tragic events would end in His glory.
When we commit ourselves to the following of Christ, we can be assured that we will also share in His Cross. We will experience the sins of others, encounter mistreatment, and have to endure various sufferings. The question for us all as we have these encounters in life is whether we will endure them in anger and despair or with the hopeful confidence of our Lord. Again, everything in life has the potential to become an instrument of the glory of God. Nothing in life has the power to steal away that glory when we keep our eyes upon the will of God and His power to use all for His glory.
Reflect, today, upon your call in life to see everything from the divine perspective. If you are upset, angry, despairing or confused at times, know that God wants to bring clarity and grace to every situation. He wants to show you how you can share in His divine mission of transforming every evil into God’s glory. Seek out the ways that your life must give glory to God in everything, especially those things that seem incapable of being used for good. The more an experience in life seems incapable of being used for God’s glory, the more that experience is capable of giving true glory to God.
My glorious Lord, You brought forth good from all things. Even the grave evil of Your betrayal was transformed into a manifestation of Your glory. I offer to You, dear Lord, all that I endure in life and pray that You will be glorified in all things, and that my life will continually become a manifestation of the glory due Your holy name. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Tuesday of Holy week
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I earnestly desire to follow your Son. Like Peter, I am willing to lay down my life for Jesus. I want to love you with all my heart and soul and give myself in service to my brothers and sisters.
Encountering the Word of God 
1. The Second Servant Song: The first song of the Servant of the Lord prophesies that Jesus will bring salvation and justice to the world. He will mediate a New Covenant that extends to the whole world. The second song of the Suffering Servant, proclaimed in today’s First Reading, continues many of the themes of the first song yet adds a couple of things. First, the Suffering Servant is not just chosen by God but is called by God from birth and given his name while still in his mother’s womb. The Son of God, in whom the Father is well-pleased, becomes flesh and dwells among us. His mission of justice is accomplished through the Incarnation in Mary's womb. For thirty years Jesus was hidden in Nazareth: God made Jesus a sharp-edged sword and concealed him in the shadow of his arm; God made him a polished arrow and hid him in his quiver. This was the way that the Father chose to manifest his eternal glory. Second, this way to glory passes through the humility and apparent failure of the Cross. The Servant is tempted to think that he toiled in vain and that he spent his strength for nothing. Jesus, however, did not die in vain. He trusts completely in the Lord and is rewarded for his obedience. Not only is he raised from the dead, but he merits salvation for all God’s children. 
2. A Light to the Nations: God reveals the universal mission of the Servant. It is too little for the Servant to restore the tribes of Israel. His saving mission will reach to the ends of the earth. He will be a light to all the nations. We know that Jesus himself understood that his public ministry was first directed to the lost tribes of Israel and to Judah. On occasion, Jesus ministered to Gentiles during his public life. However, after his Ascension, Jesus will send out his disciples to all the nations. We, as Jesus’ disciples, share in the mission of the Suffering Servant and are called to bring his light and his salvation to the ends of the earth.
3. God is Glorified in His Son: In the Gospel, we see Judas leave the upper room to hand over Jesus to the chief priests. At this point, Jesus speaks of three glorifying actions. First, Jesus reveals that he is glorified in his passion and death. This is the glory of the Cross. His fidelity and his merciful love are worthy of praise and honor. Second, God is glorified in Jesus. Through the Cross, Jesus draws all men to himself and into the true worship of the heavenly Father. The New Covenant enables the worship of the Father in Spirit and in truth. Third, God the Father will glorify Jesus through the resurrection from the dead. God will glorify him “at once” on the third day and lift him up to heaven to be seated at his right hand in power and in glory. Jesus explains this mystery to the apostles, “his children.” He says: “I will be with you only a little while longer.” In less than twenty-four hours, he will be crucified on the Cross. Then he says: “Where I go you cannot come.” Jesus will descend to the dead to release those who awaited the opening of the gates of heaven. As well, Jesus will rise from the dead and ascend to the Father. Finally, Jesus says: “Where I am going, you will follow later.” The Apostles will follow Jesus in his ministry, in his death, and in his Resurrection. They will go out to all nations and baptize them; they will be martyred for their faith; and they will rise with Jesus to new life.
 Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, just as you were commissioned by your Father to bring salvation and justice to the earth, so also I am commissioned and sent. My mission is a share in your mission. Help me today to be guided by your Spirit in fulfilling your Father’s will.
 Living the Word of God: Each of us has a role in God’s plan. Am I familiar with God’s plan for me? How have I discerned this in prayer? What is God asking of me today?
 

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Hai Tuần thánh

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Hai Tuần thánh (John 12:1-11 )
Tin Mừng hôm nay ghi rõ rằng là cả căn nhà toả đầy mùi thơm của chai dầu thơm mà bà Maria mở ra, rưới lên Chân Chúa Giêsu mà rửa chân cho Chúa.. Bà Maria đã làm một điều đánh kính là tỏ lộ lòng yêu thương ngọt ngào, quý giá hơn cả chai dầu thơm mắc tiên mà bà ta dành cho Chúa, tình yêu này không chỉ ở ý nghĩa thể chất bên ngoài, nhưng cũng bao gồm cả ý thức tâm linh. Hành động đáng yêu của bà cho thấy sự lãng phí không tiếc tiền của bà đã dành riêng cho Chúa Giêsu, đó một tình yêu mà chúng ta không thể nào bắt chước được. Chúa Giêsu cho chúng ta thấy tình yêu mà Thiên Chúa cho chúng ta còn lãng phí gấp ngàn lần... Tình yêu của Chúa dành cho chúng ta không thể nào có thể so sánh được, Đó chính là giá Máu Chúa Giêsu Kitô đã đỗ ra cho chúng ta vì lợi ích của chúng ta mà Chúa đã xức dầu thơm cho chúng ta bằng chính Chúa Thánh Thần của Người. Thánh Phaolô đã nói “không có gì có thể tách được chúng ta ra khỏi tình yêu của Thiên Chúa trong Chúa Giêsu Kitô (Rô-ma 08:39)”.  Trong khi đón chờ Ngày Chúa Phục sinh, chúng ta nên tự hỏi: Chúng ta có cho phép tình yêu của Chúa Kitô đến trong tâm hồn của chúng ta để cai trị tất cả những suy nghĩ và ý định của chúng ta, và trong tất cả những lời nói và hành động của chúng ta?
 
 Reflection Gospel John 12:1-11 Monday of Holy Week
The gospel records that the whole house was filled with the perfume of the ointment. What Mary had done brought sweetness not only in the physical sense, but the spiritual sense as well. Her lovely deed shows the extravagance of love – a love that we cannot outmatch. The Lord Jesus showed us the extravagance of his love in giving the best he had by pouring out his own blood for our sake and by anointing us with his Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul says that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). Do you allow the love of Christ to rule in all your thoughts and intentions, and in all your words and deeds?
 
Monday of Holy Week
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” John 12:4–5
Jesus was with His disciples at the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. He regularly spent time at their home and was close to them. This meal took place just before Jesus entered into Jerusalem for the first Palm Sunday and Holy Week. It was six days before Jesus would die on the cross.
Recall that Lazarus had recently been raised from the dead by Jesus and also that Mary, Lazarus’ sister, was deeply devoted to Jesus and is recorded as the one who sat at His feet, while her sister Martha served. During this visit, Mary offered another act of devotion to Jesus when she anointed Him with “a liter of costly perfumed oil.” She offered Him an act of love and devotion. The Scripture passage above records Judas’ response as he also was at the meal. Jesus rebukes Judas and defends the act of devotion given by Mary, and the meal continues on. 
One clear lesson this teaches us is that nothing is too good for our Lord. It’s true that we must do our part to help care for the poor, but Jesus’ response to Judas is quite interesting. He says, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Jesus was not downplaying the importance of caring for the poor; He was emphasizing the importance of offering acts of love and devotion to Him.
As we enter into this the holiest week of the year, we are given this image of Mary lavishing upon Jesus this liter of costly perfumed oil as a way of inviting us to do the same. Though we serve Christ in others who are in need, we must also seek to regularly offer Him devotion and love directly, even in ways that others may think is excessive. Honoring Him, expressing our love, spending time with various devotions, praying for extended periods of time, and even offering Him our financial resources are all ways in which we give Jesus the glory that is due Him.
Reflect, today, upon ways in which you can imitate this act of loving devotion offered by Mary to Jesus. In what ways can you pour forth in an abundant way your time, money, talents, and energy upon our Lord? How can you best express your devotion to Him this Holy Week? Seek out ways to do this directly for the one and simple reason that you love our Lord and want to express that love this week.
My glorious Jesus, You are worthy of all praise and honor. You are worthy of our deepest devotion and love. As I enter into this Holy Week, I pray that it will be a time in which I may express my deepest love for You. Help me to pour forth that love in abundance this week so as to show You the glory and praise You deserve. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Monday of Holy Week 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have called me and chosen me out of love. I did nothing to deserve this vocation and election. Strengthen me to respond generously to your call, to resist the temptations of this world, and to be your humble servant.
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Four Servant Songs During Holy Week: During Holy Week, we read the four Servant Songs of Isaiah. The first song, which we read today, introduces us to the Servant of the Lord, who is chosen and called by the Lord God to establish justice upon the earth. The second song, which we will read tomorrow, tells of the Servant being chosen from the womb to restore not just the twelve tribes of Israel but to bring God’s salvation to all nations. The third details how this restoration will come about through the Servant's suffering. The fourth, proclaimed on Good Friday, reveals how the Servant’s affliction and suffering, offered for sin, leads to life and the justification of many.
2. The Servant Pleases God: Today’s song first reveals that the Servant, who is chosen by God and does what is pleasing to God, will be anointed by the Spirit. This anointing of the Servant occurred on the day of Jesus’ Baptism when John the Baptist saw the Spirit descend in the form of a dove and rest on Jesus. The voice of the Father is heard: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). In the Gospel today, Jesus is anointed by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The anointing of the Spirit prepared Jesus both for his public ministry of teaching, healing the blind and the lame, casting out demons, working miracles, and for his passion; the anointing of Mary is an immediate preparation for Jesus' passion and death as the Suffering Servant. Jesus tells her to keep the rest of the oil for the day of his burial.
3. The Servant’s Mission: The first reading continues and, in it, God declares that his Servant will succeed in his mission to establish justice on the earth. He will not falter or be discouraged, for the Lord is his light and salvation, for the Lord sustains him. Jesus invites us to pray without ceasing for the establishment of justice: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The prayer for the kingdom is a prayer that God reign over all nations. In his mission, Jesus will not seek notoriety for his accomplishments: he will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. Nor will Jesus promote violence toward the oppressed: a bruised reed he will not break. The Servant will bless and forgive, not destroy and condemn. God, Isaiah proclaims, is the Creator of heaven and earth. God is the creator of all men and all living beings. He is the one who is able to empower his Servant for his mission of restoring justice to the world, an original justice that was lost through the sin of Adam. The restoration of justice entails a new doctrine, a teaching that will reach to the coastland, to the ends of the earth. The Suffering Servant will be a light for all nations, open the eyes of the blind, and free those who live in darkness. But, above all, the Servant will himself be set as a covenant for the people. This Servant is Jesus, who, as our merciful and faithful high priest, will establish the new and everlasting covenant and promulgate the new law of charity.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, teach me everything I need to be a servant like you. You humbled yourself through your Incarnation, birth, and hidden life. Your public ministry was one of humble service. Your death on the Cross was the supreme example of humble obedience. Even now, reigning in heaven, you are the Servant King, who intercedes for his people.
Living the Word of God: When we make an act of faith, it is also an act of humility. In it, we recognize who we are before God, how everything we are depends on him, how he has saved us, and how he sanctifies us as we journey toward him. How can I incorporate this humility into my daily prayer?