Suy
Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 25 Thường Niên
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta thử hỏi,
nếu Chúa Giêsu cũng hỏi chúng cùng một câu hỏi “còn
các con, các bảo Thầy là ai?”, có lẽ chúng ta sẽ trả lời: “Thầy
là Đức Chúa Trời, là Đức Chúa Con, là Ngôi Lời nhập
thể làm người, là Đấng Tạo Hóa và Đấng
Cứu Thế của chúng con, là Con một
của Chúa Cha, là Chúa Đức Kitô, và là
Thiên Chúa thật cũng là người thật ”. Không giống như các tông đồ trong thời của Chúa, bổn
phận chính của chúng ta bây giờ là phải rao truyền tất cả
những điều ấy tới tất cả mọi người để họ cùng nhận biết Chúa. Các tông đồ đã không chắc chắn Chúa Giêsu là ai. Họ biết được Ngài
là ai, là Đấng nào sau khi chứng kiến cái chết và sự
phục sinh của Người. Tất cả các tông đồ, trừ Thánh Gioan đã chết một cái chết vì đạo như Chúa Giêsu.
Bây giờ chúng ta thực sự đã biết Chúa Giêsu là ai. Cuộc sống, cái chết và sự sống lại của Ngài đã chứng minh cho chúng ta. Chúng ta được chúc phúc vì Thiên Chúa đã ban cho chúng ta những ân sủng để chúng
ta biết điều này. Chúng ta cẩn phải nhận ra tầm quan trọng về những kiến thức này cho chúng ta; sự sống đời đời của chúng ta đều phụ thuộc vào những
kiến thức đấy.
Chúng ta phải biết rằng "từ nguyên
thuỷ (khởi đầu) đã có Ngôi Lời, Ngôi Lời
ở trong Thiên Chúa, và Ngôi Lời là Thiên Chúa;. Ngài đã ở cùng Thiên Chúa. Và
qua Ngài mà tất cả mọi sự đã được thực hiện và Mọi sự đã nhờ Ngài mà thành sự
và không Ngài thì không gì đã thành sự." (Ga 1: 1-3)
Dự định ban đầu của Thiên Chúa là ban sự
sống đời đời cho con người chúng ta ,
nhưng vì sự bất tuân và niềm tự hào của con người, của tổ phụ con người
cúng ta là Adong và Eva mà cúng ta đã đánh mất cái quyền lợi đấy. Vì vậy, để cứu
rỗi cho chúng ta, Ngôi Lời đã trở nên Con Người phàm tục như chúng ta và Ngài
đã sống giữa chúng ta, để chuộc lại cho chúng ta sự sống đời đời mà đã bị mất.
Chúng ta biết rằng Chúa Kitô đã chịu đau
khổ và chịu chết trên thập giá cho chúng ta để chúng ta đạt được ơn cứu chuộc
này. Chúng ta phải rao truyền tất cả những gì mà chúng ta đã biết được cho tất
cả mọi người để họ sẽ không bị từ chối cuộc sống vĩnh cửu mà Đức Chúa Giêsu
Kitô đã cứu chuộc cho chúng ta.
Reflection:
Today's Catholics, if asked the
same question by Jesus, would probably answer: "God, God the Son,
Our Creator, Our Lord and Savior, Our Redeemer, the Word Made Flesh, the Only Begotten
Son of the Father, the son of Mary, the Christ, true God and true Man" -
for all these, he truly is. Unlike the apostles of his time, our strict
instruction now is to tell this to everyone.
The apostles were not sure who Jesus was. They learned who he was only much
later, after witnessing his death and resurrection, and they proclaimed who
Jesus was to all the nations so that they would be saved, even at the cost of
their own lives. All the apostles, except St. John, died a martyr's death. Now
we know who Jesus really is. His life, death and resurrection proved this
to us. We are blessed because God gave us the grace to know this. We must
realize how important this knowledge is to us; our eternal life depends on it.
We know that " in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God; he was in the beginning with God. All things were made
through him and without him nothing came to be." (Jn 1:1-3) God
originally intended eternal life to our first parents, but because of
disobedience and pride, they lost it. So for our salvation, the Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, in order to redeem for us the eternal life which was
lost. We know that he suffered and died on the cross for us in order to
achieve this redemption. We must tell what we know to everyone so that they
would not reject this eternal life redeemed for us by Jesus Christ.
The Deepest Human
Satisfaction
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and
the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I
am?” Luke 9:18
It’s interesting that Jesus was both “praying
in solitude” and that “the disciples were with him.” Saint Bede explains this
apparent contradiction by stating that “the Son alone is able to penetrate the
incomprehensible secrets of the Father’s will.” Therefore, our Lord was always
alone with the Father in the sense that only Jesus knew the Father fully and
intimately. This is because He is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity,
the Eternal Son of the Father.
With that fact clearly understood, it’s also
important to understand that as Jesus prayed to the Father within His human
nature, something new took place. Though Jesus was eternally with the Father,
His human nature was not eternally with the Father. Therefore, as the Eternal
Son of God communed with the Eternal Father while living in human flesh, human
nature was suddenly elevated to a height that it had never been before. Not
only was the Eternal Son living in perfect union with the Father, but now the
Eternal Son, fully human, brought His human nature into this oneness.
Though this may seem a bit philosophical to
some, it points to a very important reality that affects us all. Through our
Lord’s human prayer to the Father, we are all invited to join with Jesus and
share in this divine oneness. The Son of God, as a human being, made it
possible for us as humans to share in the elevation of our very lives to
oneness with God the Father. And though the Son of God will always retain a
unique union with the Father, we are, nonetheless, by participation, invited to
share in their life.
So why is this important? One reason is that
there is no greater human fulfillment we could ever achieve than to share in
the prayer of the Son to the Father. Throughout our lives, we are constantly
looking for fulfillment in one form or another. We want to be happy. We want
enjoyment in life. We have a natural desire for happiness that we are
constantly seeking to fulfill. What’s important to understand is that the
greatest happiness comes by sharing in the deep human prayer of the Son to the
Father. Prayer, true prayer, is the answer to our deepest desire.
Reflect, today, upon whether or not you
regularly engage in deep prayer. Can you point to times when you, like our
Lord, were alone with God, communing with Him in the depths of your human soul,
being drawn to Him through prayer? There are many levels of prayer, as is
attested to by many saints. Make the choice to deepen your prayer. Go before
our Lord today and pour out your heart to Him, asking Him to draw you into the
holy solitude of His prayer to the Father. Doing so will bring forth in you the
deepest human satisfaction possible in life.
My praying Lord, as You spent time alone with
the Father, You united Your human nature with Him, thus elevating our nature to
a glorious degree. Please draw me to You, dear Lord, so that I may know You and
the Father through true, deep and sustaining prayer. May this oneness with You
be the cause of my deepest fulfillment in life. Jesus, I trust in You.
Friday
25th
Ordinary Time 2024
Opening
Prayer: Lord God, Creator of all things, grant me a
deep knowledge of your works and your plan of salvation. Help me to know my
part and enlighten my mind to know how I can help my family, my friends, and
the members of my community to know you better and love you more deeply.
Encountering
the Word of God
1. Who
Has Authority over Life and Death? The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes,
known as Qoheleth or the Preacher, contemplates the question of the meaning of
life. He ponders why human beings toil endlessly on earth for minimal gain.
When a person dies the fruits of their labor merely pass to another. The
Preacher teaches that the pleasures of the world do not truly fulfill us and
that wealth does not bring us ultimate satisfaction. The Preacher also notes
that we have no control over the timing of the end of our earthly life. “Unlike
God, who appoints times of prosperity and adversity (7:14), man has no
‘authority over the day of death’ (8:8). The best he can do, says Qoheleth, is
to enjoy the good things in life as much as his circumstances allow (2:24;
3:12, 22; 8:15)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and
Song of Solomon, 66).
2. God’s
Plan for Creation: Qoheleth sees God as the Creator who determines all
times and seasons of life (3:1-8). God's creation is beautiful and good, and,
in this creation, man has a special place, for man desires something that goes
beyond this life. God has placed this desire for eternity in man’s heart. No
creature can satisfy us; only God can: The Lord has made us for himself and our
hearts are restless until they rest in him. The gift of the desire for eternity
does not include with it the gift of fully understanding God’s plan for each
one of us. The latter is something that we discern little by little through the
virtue of faith and the gifts of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. In this
life, we really only catch a glimpse of God’s plan for creation; in the next
life, we will see everything in God himself. We will see his goodness, justice,
love, and mercy. We will see how he has acted in history and our lives.
3. Faith
in Jesus as the Christ: In the Gospel, Simon Peter does not come to the
knowledge of Jesus as the Christ on his own. It was revealed to him by God.
Peter’s confession of faith is an important step in understanding God’s plan
for humankind. Peter is confessing that God the Father has sent his only
begotten Son as the Redeemer of man. At the same time, Peter will struggle to
understand that Jesus redeems us through the Cross, through suffering, through
death. After the Resurrection, Peter will confess not only his faith in Jesus
but also his love for Jesus. One day, he will testify to Christ through his
martyrdom in Rome. He will tell the entire world through his death that Jesus
is the Christ, the one who saves us and raises us up.
Conversing
with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world. You were slain, yet rose victorious and have been
enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Help me to live my baptismal
vocation as a priest, prophet, and king today.
Friday
25th
Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: Dear
Lord Jesus, I am grateful for this opportunity to come before you in prayer.
You know that I believe in you; that is why I am coming to you. However, you
also know how much my faith needs to grow. I ask you for that grace to grow in
my knowledge of you, to think more like you, and to trust you each day more. I
also ask you to bless those souls entrusted to my prayer.
Encountering Christ:
“Who Do the Crowds Say That I Am?”: Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say
that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still
others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Jesus’s first question was
safe; it is a question about the beliefs of others. “Well, they believe this
and that…” said the disciples, possibly even slightly scoffing at some of the
theories out there. Similarly, today’s society is completely at ease conversing
about religion at this level. “Well, the Buddhists believe this… and the
Muslims believe that.” University professors who teach courses on religion or
philosophy often take a similar approach—they survey the landscape of the
various religions or philosophies, make a few interesting comments, and then
leave it to the student to choose which they like best. The underlying message
conveyed is that we cannot know the truth about God and man. That aversion is
likely rooted not only in a belief that man cannot know the truth but also in a
fear of commitment. A religion reduced to a theory can make no demands.
“Who Do You Say That I Am?”: Our Lord cuts to the chase by eliminating the
casual theorizing: “But who do you say that I am?” Even adult cradle Catholics
who believed as little children at some point must face the question directly,
“Who is Jesus for me?” Otherwise, he or she runs the risk of reducing Jesus to
a theory, a religion, or a tradition—ultimately void of meaning. However, if
someone is willing to open up to Jesus with sincere and persistent prayer and
study, he or she, like Peter, will recognize in Jesus “the Messiah of God.”
Essential to such a search is the realization that it is not principally
finding the truth as much as it is encountering a person. Mature faith is born
from meeting Jesus Christ.
“The Messiah of God”: Once we recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the very
Son of God, neutrality is no longer an option. We must either bend the knee or
reject him. To bend the knee means to adore and to obey him. Our worship of
Jesus brings us grace and gradually forms our hearts and minds to be more like
his (Galatians 4:19). His words and his example become the criteria by which we
act. “What would Jesus do?” should not be a cliché. It is also in living with
Jesus and like Jesus that others will discover him through us. St. Paul writes,
“yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for the foundational
gift of faith, which has led me to recognize you as the Messiah and the Son of
God. Help me to continue to conform my heart and mind to yours through prayer
and the sacraments. May my words and actions be a reflection of you, so that
through me, others may come to know your goodness. Aware of my weakness, I
place my confidence in your grace and fidelity.
Suy
Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm Tuần Tuần 25 Thường Niên
Bình thường,
cuộc sống của chúng ta cũng giống như vua Hêrôđê nghĩa là chúng ta có
"một cuộc sống rất bình thường" của người Công giáo. Có nghĩa là
chúng ta tự để mình rơi vào trong một cái thói quen. Chúng ta đi nhà thờ, làm
công việc hay nghĩa vụ của mình theo như “một cái máy” vì luật buộc như việc
xưng tội một năm một lần, đi “xem lễ”, rước lễ, và rồi về nhà, thế là
xong, cuộc sống xay vòng ngày qua ngày giống như thế. Bằng cách nào đó,
đôi khi người Kitô giáo chúng ta có vẻ hầu như cảm nhận thấy rằng, cuộc sống
đạo của chúng ta đạo chẳng có gì lấy làm hào hứng và vui thích cho lắm.
Tất nhiên, chúng ta ai cũng muốn thấy Chúa Giêsu, nhưng chúng ta chẳng nỡ bỏ
công sức ra để tìm kiếm Chúa. Chúng ta không nhìn thấy và không nhận ra sự cần
thiết của sự từ bỏ hay thoát khỏi cái vỏ không trống rỗng để tìm kiếm những
sung túc, sự sung sướng và sự thoải mái của chúng ta, để đáp ứng lại cái sự mời
gọi của Chúa Giêsu, đặc biệt là những nơi Ngài hiện diện trong những vùng ngoại
ô, làng quê héo lánh, hay ở nơi những người đang sống bên lề xã hội, những người
nghèo khổ và bị ruồng bỏ. Nhưng chúng ta cũng đã nhận được sự cảnh báo là trong
ngày Phán Xét, khi chúng ta được đưa ra trước quan toà Chúa Giêsu, chúng
ta cũng đừng ngạc nhiên, nếu Chúa nói với chúng ta là: "Ta không biết
ngươi là ai".
Lạy Chúa, xin giúp chúng con biết dùng thời gian của Chúa ban cho chúng con
một cách khôn ngoan, để chúng con luôn thực sự và thành tâm đi tìm kiếm
Chúa giữa lòng người và dòng đời mà chúng con đang sống, biết nhận ra Chúa
trong người anh em nghèo khó, tật nguyền đang sốnh ngay nên cạnh chúng con.
Reflection
The Gospel reading yesterday described how
Jesus sends his closest disciples on mission. This expansion of Jesus’ mission
draws the attention of Herod Antiphas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Herod is
curious about Jesus because he had heard about Jesus and the miracles Jesus was
performing. As a result, Herod desires to see Jesus. Not because he really
believed in Jesus' message but because he merely wanted to satisfy his
curiosity. So, Herod remains in his palace waiting for the day when he can see
Jesus. It never occurs to him to go out and look for Jesus. In the meantime,
life goes on as usual. Often, we can
become “life as usual” Catholics. We fall into a routine. We go to church,
fulfill our religious obligations, receive Communion, and go home. Nothing
changes, just as expressed by the writer in the first reading. Nothing
really exciting happens to our faith and in our relationship with God. Somehow
it seems as though there’s nothing joyful about being a Christian.
Of course, we would like to see Jesus but
we do not look for him. We do not see the need to go forth from our comfort
zone, outside our homes or parish, to meet Jesus, especially where he is
present in the peripheries, in the marginalised, the poor and outcasts. But be
warned. In the end when we do meet Jesus, do not be surprised if he says, “I do
not know you”. Lord, help me to seek You always.
Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was
happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has
been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still
others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Luke
9:7–8
Herod the tetrarch, also known as Herod
Antipas, ruled the Jews of Galilee for some forty-two years. He began his reign
in 2 BC and continued to reign until he was exiled by the Roman Emperor in 37
AD. During his reign, he spent much time in Tiberias, one of the main cities on
the western edge of the Sea of Galilee. Most of Jesus’ ministry took place
within the region of Herod’s domain, all of Galilee, so Herod was very aware of
the many stories about Jesus.
Today’s Gospel concludes by saying that Herod
kept trying to see Jesus. Of course, Herod, just like anyone living in that
region, could have traveled to where Jesus was preaching so as to listen to Him
at any time. But he didn’t do that. Instead, he continued to receive reports
about Jesus and remained curious about Him, trying to find a way to figure out
Who Jesus was.
Try to imagine what would have happened if
Herod would have traveled to where Jesus was preaching so as to listen to Him
with an open heart. If he would have done that, and truly listened, Herod would
have received one of the greatest gifts imaginable. He would have received the
gift of faith and conversion and would have begun down the road toward eternal
salvation. But Herod was living an immoral life. He was known to be a cruel
leader and also an unrepentant adulterer. He loved his power and was quite jealous
of it. Herod most likely knew, at least in the back of his mind, that if he
were to listen to Jesus, he would have to change. And he most likely didn’t
want to change.
This presents us all with a powerful lesson.
Each one of us can easily dismiss various communications and invitations from
our Lord, because, deep down, we do not want to change. God is speaking to us
all day long, every day of our lives. He is constantly offering us His message
of the full Gospel. And though you may be open to much of what God says, there
are most likely parts of His divine message that you either knowingly or
unknowingly do not listen to. The key to being able to hear everything that God
wants to speak to you is to be disposed to completely change in any and every
way that God wants you to change.
Reflect, today, upon Herod. First, reflect
upon his curiosity about Jesus. This is a good quality, in that it’s much
better than being indifferent. From there, think also about the fact that Herod
never went to Jesus to listen to Him. His first meeting with Jesus was on the
night of His arrest, when he interrogated our Lord and made fun of Him. As you
consider Herod’s obstinacy, use it as an examination of your own life. Where
you see any small reflection of obstinacy, fear of change or a closed heart, seek
to remedy that by turning to our Lord telling Him you are open to all He wishes
to say and that you are ready and willing to change in any way He calls you to
do so. Do not fear the change our Lord wants of you. Embracing that change will
land you on the quick and narrow road toward true holiness of life.
My ever-present Lord, You call to me day and
night, inviting me to change as I listen to Your holy Word. I thank You for
these constant promptings of grace and commit myself to remain open to all that
You ask of me. I choose You, my Lord. And as I turn to You, I pray that I will
have the courage I need to respond wholeheartedly to Your call. Jesus, I trust
in You.
Thursday 25th in Ordinary 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I surrender my life into your hands. I commend my spirit
to your care. Guide my steps today and help me understand the meaning of my
life. Help me to know the path I have trod and the steps I need to take.
Encountering the Word of God
1. What if Life is Meaningless? The author of Ecclesiastes, known as Qoheleth or the Preacher, “looks at
the world almost exclusively from the standpoint of human reason, experience,
and observation” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
Song of Solomon, 66). The Preacher recognizes that God is Lord over the
world, but does not examine our relationship with God in great detail. “From
this limited perspective, in which faith is often left out of the picture, the
author can only conclude that everything is ‘vanity’ (1:2; 12:8). One could say
that Ecclesiastes reveals the problem to which of the Bible offers the
solution, namely, that life is meaningless if death is our ultimate destiny and
if man has no hope for happiness that reaches beyond the grave” (Ignatius
Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 66). Saint
Bonaventure takes a different point of view, and says that the three books
attributed to Solomon represent three stages of spiritual growth: Proverbs
teaches us how to live wisely in the world, Ecclesiastes teaches contempt for
worldly things, and the Song of Songs teaches us love for heavenly things.
(see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Solomon, 67).
2. A Pessimistic View of the Endless Cycle of Life and Nature: The
First Reading is taken from the prologue to Qoheleth’s book, which announces
that man’s work and labors are in vain. The Preacher is meditating on the cycle
of life and the cycle of nature. Generations of men come and go, the sun rises
and sets, the wind comes and goes, and the rivers rush to the sea yet are
continuously filled only to rush back again. Everything seems only to return to
where it started. The Preacher also contemplates human history and sees it
repeating itself: what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new
under the sun (1:9). Finally, the Preacher wonders who will remember what was
done in the past and concludes that not even things to come will be remembered.
3. The Culmination of History in Jesus Christ: The answer to this
pessimistic view of life, of the world, and of history is found in Jesus Christ
and his revelation. Nature is indeed cyclical, but human history is not. It is
linear and culminates in Jesus Christ. Everything leads up to the Incarnation,
Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. And, after this event, everything
is different. The Kingdom of God is inaugurated and awaits its definitive
establishment at the end of time. Jesus Christ gives us reason to hope. He has
opened up for us the way to salvation. We can follow his path and enter into
communion with him. We do not seek Christ like Herod. Herod was perplexed by
Jesus’ mighty deeds and was curious. He sought to see him only to see a
miraculous sign. The people also begin to wonder: Who is Jesus? Is he another
prophet like Elijah or John? Who is he?
2. A Pessimistic View of the Endless Cycle of Life and Nature: The
First Reading is taken from the prologue to Qoheleth’s book, which announces
that man’s work and labors are in vain. The Preacher is meditating on the cycle
of life and the cycle of nature. Generations of men come and go, the sun rises
and sets, the wind comes and goes, and the rivers rush to the sea yet are
continuously filled only to rush back again. Everything seems only to return to
where it started. The Preacher also contemplates human history and sees it
repeating itself: what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new
under the sun (1:9). Finally, the Preacher wonders who will remember what was
done in the past and concludes that not even things to come will be remembered.
3. The Culmination of History in Jesus Christ: The answer to this
pessimistic view of life, of the world, and of history is found in Jesus Christ
and his revelation. Nature is indeed cyclical, but human history is not. It is
linear and culminates in Jesus Christ. Everything leads up to the Incarnation,
Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. And, after this event, everything
is different. The Kingdom of God is inaugurated and awaits its definitive
establishment at the end of time. Jesus Christ gives us reason to hope. He has
opened up for us the way to salvation. We can follow his path and enter into
communion with him. We do not seek Christ like Herod. Herod was perplexed by
Jesus’ mighty deeds and was curious. He sought to see him only to see a
miraculous sign. The people also begin to wonder: Who is Jesus? Is he another
prophet like Elijah or John? Who is he?
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the culmination of all human history. You are
the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Guide me as I walk toward
my eternal destiny. You know where I will stumble and where I will be faithful.
Help me especially when I am weak and beset by temptation.
Thursday 25th in Ordinary 2023
Opening Prayer: Lord
Jesus, I believe in you, I hope in you, and I love you. Grant me a sacred
reverence for supernatural phenomena and a holy fear of the Lord. Lord, I
humbly ask for the presence of mind to be in awe before you and approach the
tabernacle with great reverence.
Encountering Christ:
1. Worldly Power: Wordly
power seduces the powerful into believing that he or she can control all
outcomes. Hearing about Jesus agitated Herod, most likely because he had a
guilty conscience for having beheaded John. Perhaps he also worried about the
possibility of another prophet more popular than John. And he certainly felt
that all the commotion was getting out of hand. Herod sought out Jesus to
assuage his concerns, but might he also have had a glimmer of authentic
curiosity? When we seek Jesus in prayer, does anxiety prompt us, or do we look
for him with hearts motivated by healthy, loving curiosity?
2. Quiet Power of the Supernatural: Herod’s power was characterized by rashness and
self-aggrandizement. His killing of St. John the Baptist could not thwart the
higher power of God. God’s power is infinitely beyond that of man’s. The power
of the Creator is beauty, truth, and goodness. Our omnipotent God knew when
John would die and allowed John to prepare the way for Jesus to begin his
active ministry. We can always trust in the power and perfect timing of the
Almighty, God, our Father. “To everything there is a season and a time for
every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Let us place all our concerns
in God’s hands, knowing that he will “work all things to the good for those who
love him” (Romans 8:28).
3. Pure Intentions: Herod kept trying to see Jesus, but to no avail.
For a powerful king, one would think he should have seen Jesus whenever he
pleased. Perhaps Jesus eluded Herod because he knew Herod’s intentions were
selfish. Our Lord wants to be present to us, to fill us with his grace, and to
give us every blessing, but being the perfect gentleman, he enters only hearts
that welcome him with pure intention. “Therefore, my beloved, avoid idolatry”
(1 Corinthians 10:14).
Conversing with Christ: Lord, I believe in your almighty power. You have
the course of events in your hands. Grant me optimism, docility, and peace in
knowing that you guide history. And help me to keep from my heart any sinful
attraction to power, honor, or wealth. I want my heart to be a refuge for you,
Lord.
Suy
Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần 25 Thường Niên. (Lk. 9:1-6).
“Anh em đừng mang gì đi đường, đừng mang gậy,
bao bị, lương thực, tiền bạc, cũng đừng có hai áo” (Lk. 9:3). Đấy là những điều
kiện mà Chúa Giêsu muốn đòi hỏi các môn đệ của Ngài phải thực hiện khi ra đi
làm nhiệm vụ rao giẳng Tin Mừng. Nếu chúng ta chịu khó để ý thì thấy những
quãng đường họ phải đi qua
nào là đồi núi, quanh co và sỏi đá thế mà họ
phải đi bộ để chu toàn sứ mạng của các ngài, vậy mà Chúa Giêsu bảo không mang
gì hết để đáp ứng những nhu cầu tối thiểu của chúng ta, chắc chắn chúng ta sẽ
thấy rằng đó chính là một nhu cầu đầy thách thức. Tuy nhiên, các môn đệ đã làm
theo như lời Chúa Giêsu dạy, và tất cả mọi sự và mọi việc đã được diễn ra rất
suông
sẻ và thành công.
Trong
cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta, chúng ta đánh giá rất nhiều về những nhu cầu
và các nguồn lực cần thiết để thực hiện những gì chúng ta cho là quan trọng.
Đôi khi, cuộc sống của chúng ta đã trở nên tê bại, liệt cứng khi chúng ta không
thành công trong việc thúc đẩy những kế hoạch của chúng ta bởi vì chúng ta thiếu
lòng tin và lo sợ rằng chúng ta sẽ không có được những nguồn lực, ý chí cần thiết
để tiến hành những dự án đó của chúng ta.
Tin
Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu như muốn nhắc nhở với chúng ta là hãy hết lòng tin tưởng
vào Ngài. Lẽ tất nhiên, điều này chỉ có thể thành công khi chúng ta thật lòng để
tâm, để trí và thực sự thực hiện ý muốn của Thiên Chúa và chứ không phải chỉ
đơn thuần nhằm mục đích riêng của chúng ta để tự tôn vinh và mang lai sự quang
vinh cho chính mình.
Lạy
Chúa Giêsu Kitô, xin ban cấp cho chúng con được những hồng ân của Chúa nhất là
lòng tin tuởng và phó thác hoàn toàn trong tình yêu vô điều kiện của Chúa.
Wednesday 25th Week in
Ordinary Time
“Take nothing for the journey — no staff, no bag, no bread, no
money, no extra shirt.” This is what Jesus required of the disciples as they
set out on mission. If we take account of the distances to be covered by
walking and the material needs to be met, we see that bringing nothing was a
challenging demand. However, the disciples did as Jesus said and everything
went smoothly.
In our daily
life, we value very much the supply of resources necessary to carry out what we
deem important. Sometimes, our lives become paralyzed as we fail to push
forward plans because we are afraid that we will not obtain the resources
needed. Jesus tells us just to go on trusting him wholeheartedly. Obviously,
this is only possible when we are truly carrying out his will and not simply
aiming at our self-glorification or fame.
Accepting the
mission and acknowledging our weaknesses and unworthiness — just as Ezra
recognizes in front of God the sins of his people — will make us more humble so
as to be able to see God's hand in our lives. Only in this way, we are also led
to meet the demands of our daily life and achieve our goals.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant us, we pray, the grace of full trust in
Your unconditional love.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power
and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to
proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke
9:1–2
This is the first time that Jesus sends His
Apostles out on a mission. On this mission, He is preparing them for their
ultimate mission, which will come at the time of Pentecost, after Jesus dies,
rises and ascends to Heaven. But for now, Jesus commissions these Apostles to
do three things: to cast out demons, heal the sick and proclaim the Kingdom of
God.
Just like the Apostles, we are called to
combat the devil and his demons. They are fallen angels who retain their
natural powers, and they use those natural powers to try to deceive us, oppress
us and, in some cases, even possess us. But demons are powerless in the face of
God, and God gives us spiritual authority over them. And though there are some
who are given the unique ministry of exorcism within the Church, all of us do
have spiritual authority over demons, especially over their natural spiritual
attacks of temptations.
We combat demons primarily by revealing their
lies and bringing them to light. Saint Ignatius of Loyola, in his spiritual
classic The Spiritual Exercises, explains to us some of the
ordinary tactics these demons use and how we overcome them. He says that for
those steeped in a life of serious sin, the demons continually place before
their mind the lie that their sins are enjoyable and rewarding, so that they
will continue to choose them. And for those who are striving for holiness,
these demons try to discourage them in their deepening conversion. They “bite,
sadden and put obstacles, disquieting with false reasons, that one may not go
on” (Rule 2). The way to overcome these temptations is by turning to the truth.
First, by realizing that the false “pleasures” of sin are just that: false,
fleeting and ultimately demeaning. Furthermore, we overcome these temptations
by receiving from God “courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations
and quiet, easing, and putting away all obstacles.” In other words, we overcome
the demons by allowing God to strengthen us, clear our thinking, dispel all
false obstacles on the road to holiness and by receiving the abundant
consolations that God bestows as help on the journey.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that our Lord
wants to minister to you in this threefold way. If you can work to overcome the
obstacles put in your path by these demons, then you are in a good position to
share in the other two missions given to the Apostles. You will be able to
experience mental, emotional and spiritual healing in your life, and you will
be able to allow the Kingdom of God to grow strong and powerful within your own
soul. From there, you will be sent on a mission by our Lord to bring these graces
to others in need.
My all-powerful Lord, You have authority over
evil, the power to heal and offer all the gifts of eternal salvation. Help me
to be open to the ways that You desire to come to me. Please free me from the
attacks of the evil one, bring healing and hope, and bring forth the abundance
of Your glorious Kingdom in my life. Jesus, I trust in You
Wednesday 25th Ordinary 2024
Opening
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are
my Lord and my God. I trust in you. I long to dwell in your house all the days
of my life. I look forward to the day when, in heaven, I will sing your
glorious praises with the heavenly host, with all the angels and saints.
Encountering
the Word of God
1.
Proclaiming God’s Lordship Over All Things: Jesus’ Twelve Apostles were sent out to proclaim the Good News of
the Kingdom of God, to cast out demons, to heal the sick, and to cure diseases.
This power and authority does not come from themselves but from God. Jesus is
the one who gave them power and authority. The Apostles are not to rely on
their own talents or strength but on the Father’s providence. The way they are
sent out is itself a proclamation of the Kingdom. By not taking a walking
stick, money, or second tunic, they proclaim God’s Lordship over creation and
his providential care. They proclaim the dominion of God. God is God – He is in
charge. He holds in his hands the threads of the world. God is acting now in
our lives. He is a living God (Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, vol. I,
55-60). Where God is absent, nothing can be good. Where God is not seen, man
and the world fall to ruin (Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, vol. I, 145).
2.
Jesus as the Answer to Agur’s Questions: The Book of Proverbs concludes with the words of Agur (30:1-33);
the words of Lemuel (31:1-9); and the praise of a good wife (31:10-31). Today’s
First Reading is taken from the words of Agur. Agur begins with questions that
challenge his listeners to see that God’s power and wisdom surpass them. He
asks: “Who has ascended to the heavens and come down?;” “Who has gathered the
wind in his fists?;” “Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?;” “Who has
established all the ends of the earth?;” “What is his name, and what is his
son’s name?” (Proverbs 30:4). The first question implies that no human being
has acquired divine, heavenly wisdom. Only Jesus can claim such wisdom (John
3:13) (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song
of Solomon, 51). The second, third, and fourth questions contemplate the
magnitude of God's creation – it too surpasses us. The last question about the
Son of God is difficult to understand, but with the coming of Christ, however,
we know that God the Father has an eternal Son. This Son has come down from
heaven, dwelt among us, demonstrated power over the wind and waters, and
ascended to his heavenly throne where he now reigns!
3.
God’s Providential Care: Human
beings receive divine wisdom from God and the Word of God is trustworthy. When
we hear the Word of God and accept it, it becomes for us a shield since it
protects us from false and evil ways. Agur’s petition, in the First Reading, is
full of humility. He asks to be removed from falsehood and to receive only what
he needs. He feels that if he is poor he will be tempted to steal and that if
he is rich he will be tempted to forget his dependence on God. In the Old
Testament, then, Agur proclaims the greatness of God’s wisdom and power as well
as our dependence on God, who cares for us and protects us. In the New
Testament, the Apostles testify to the coming of the Kingdom of God through
miraculous signs, which testify to the end of the reign of evil and sin, and
through their poverty, they testify to God’s providential care. The Apostles
share directly in Jesus’ mission to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom; they
will witness the glory of the Kingdom on Mount Tabor; they will witness the
inauguration of the Kingdom at the Last Supper and on the Cross; they will be
sent out after the Resurrection and Pentecost to proclaim and extend the
Kingdom established by Christ.
Conversing
with Christ: Lord Jesus, send me to
proclaim the Kingdom of God today. I pray that my actions correspond to my
Christian faith and that I may witness to you in my words and good deeds.
Empower me with your grace and the virtues of faith, hope, and charity so that
what I do may give glory to you and the Father..
Wednesday 25th Ordinary 2023
Opening Prayer: Lord
Jesus, I look to you as my Father and the source of my being. I know that your
heart is heavy with sorrow over the sufferings of your creatures. I want to be
with you and console you during this time of prayer. Help me to hear your
heartbeats and to feel compassion for those who suffer.
Encountering Christ:
Apostleship: Anyone
who has encountered the love of God becomes an apostle because, as St. Paul
says, we are new creations...“the old things have passed away; behold, new
things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As the Lord’s apostles, we share in his
power and authority. How many of us live our lives recognizing that, as
followers of Christ, we can be the Lord's hands, feet, and mouthpiece? “Amen,
amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and
will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (John
14:12).
Take Nothing: One
of the conditions of being an apostle is a reliance on the Lord. We are called
to give Christ, not ourselves. This requires emptying ourselves of personal
interest, of receiving something in return, of relying on our talents. An
apostle is an ambassador of the Lord, giving others Christ’s riches. When we
detach from false securities, trusting in God as our one security and knowing
that he will provide everything, we are truly instruments of His power and
authority.
“Whatever House You Enter, Stay There”: If we encounter someone on the journey who is open
to the Lord, God may ask us to stay there, to linger and deepen that
relationship. There is wisdom in planting a seed deeply and cultivating the
ground around it before moving on to plant another seed. As Scripture tells us,
the seed that falls in the dry ground will not bear much fruit, but the one
that falls in the fertile ground will bear much fruit. When we take the time to
prepare the ground by patiently answering questions, providing quality
resources, and testifying to Chris’s love in the little things of everyday
life, we are sharing the healing power of Christ’s love with those to whom God
sends us.
Conversing with Christ: Lord, I want to know your heart, to love what you
love, and to minister as you would. Grant me the grace of total security in you
and reliance on you. Help me to be docile to your inspirations, reaching out to
souls you place in my path and generously giving them all they need to
encounter you.
Resolution: Lord,
today, by your grace, I will take some time in quiet prayer to ask you where
you call me to share your message in some tangible way with others.
Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Ba tuần
25 Thường Niên
Những lời nói của Chúa Giêsu trong bài Tin Mừng hôm
nay có thể đã
gây sốc mạnh cho những người sống trong một truyền
thống tôn kính và vinh danh cha mẹ và gia đình
như những người Á đông chúng ta. Nhưng Chúa Giêsu đã không quay
lưng lại với gia đình của Ngài; trái lại, Ngài đã mở rộng cái gia đình đó. Ngài đã xây dựng một gia đình
vĩ đại bao là gồm tất cả nhân loại. Ngài nhấn mạnh: Từ nay trở đi, không còn giới hạn tình yêu của chúng ta, mà tất cả thân nhân anh em ruột thịt của chúng ta trong Thiên Chúa. Tất cả những ai đáp lại lời gọi và tiếp nhận Tin Mừng của Thiên Chúa, được coi như là người thân trong gia đình của chúng ta. Trong một nghĩa nào đó, gia đình
của chúng ta đã phát triển và rất to lớn.
Những lời dạy của Chúa Giêsu là một thách thức cho
chúng ta, để chúng ta biết phải mở rộng tấm lòng và tâm trí của chúng ta và để chúng ta có thể biết chấp nhận nhiều hơn không phải chỉ có những người gần gũi và thân yêu của chúng ta không mà thôi. Chúng ta hãy nhìn xung
quanh chúng ta, Ai là những người thân cận trong gia đình của chúng ta? Nếu chúng ta làm được như vậy, liệu chúng ta có thay đổi thái
độ và hành vi khi chúng ta đố xử với họ? Vũ
trũ và thế giới
này là nhà của chúng ta và tất cả mọi người trong nhân loại đều là những anh chị em hân nhân tiềm năng trong gia đình của chúng ta.
- Lạy Chúa, xin Chúa đừng để bất cứ hàng rào, ngăn cách nào có thể cản ngăn
tình yêu của
chúng con.
Meditation:
The words of Jesus sound a little harsh to our ears. He seems to dismiss them
as he proclaims that those who do the will of God are his mother and brothers.
The words must have been shocking to those living in a tradition that revered
and honored parents and family. But Jesus was not turning his back on his
family — on the contrary, he was expanding it. He came to build all of humanity
into one family. From now on, he insisted, don't confine your love just to your
blood relatives. All who respond to God can be counted as our family. In a
sense, our family has grown enormous.
The words of Jesus are a challenge to broaden our hearts and minds and embrace
more than just those who are near and dear to us. Let us look around — who can
we count among our family? If we do so, will our behavior towards them change?
The world is our home and all humanity is our potential family.
Lord, may there be no barriers to my love for others.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to
him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother
and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to
them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God
and act on it.” Luke
8:19–21
The term “brothers” in this passage is
obviously not to be understood that Jesus had blood brothers. It is a dogma of
our faith that Jesus was the only Child of Mary. At that time, it was common
practice to refer to one’s extended family as “brothers.” This would have
especially applied to Jesus’ cousins and perhaps even those who were unrelated
by blood but were from the same village.
As these relatives of Jesus stood outside and
announced their presence, what did they expect Jesus to do? His “brothers”
might have been there to try to talk some sense into Him. We know from other
passages in the Gospels that some of Jesus’ extended family thought He was out
of His mind. Therefore, it is possible that these brothers were there to
resolve an extended family conflict that was erupting as Jesus began His public
ministry.
Jesus’ response was not a rude response. This
is clear from the fact that Jesus lived the perfection of charity. But true
charity is always grounded in the truth. Jesus spoke a truth that cut through
the merely human ties and conflicts that were driving these brothers. By
saying, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act
on it,” Jesus was challenging His brothers to stop looking at Him only in an
earthly way. Everyone, including His relatives, needed to learn to see Jesus as
the Son of the Father in Heaven. It was the act of accepting Jesus’ divine
identity and submitting in obedience to the will of the Father that established
a much deeper bond with Him. That is the relationship that Jesus desired with
His earthly brothers.
The mother of Jesus, on the other hand, was
also perfect in every way. She was free from the disorder of sin and even her
mind was clear, being filled with perfect wisdom and understanding. Therefore,
when it was reported to her what Jesus said, she would have understood and
believed.
Saint Bede says that when we hear the word of
God and obey it, we become Jesus’ “mother” by bringing Him forth into the world
through our words and actions. This also makes us Jesus’ “brothers” because our
obedience makes us all children of the Father in Heaven.
By the gift of the fullness of grace, our
Blessed Mother would have fully understood that her unity with her Son was
primarily the result of their shared obedience to the Father’s will. She not
only experienced the Son of God being conceived within her womb, she also had
the profound experience of conceiving Him in her heart through her obedience to
the will of the Father. That “conception” of Jesus within her Immaculate Heart
would have been unmistakably clear to her and the cause of her greatest joy. For
that reason, she would have treasured this spiritual motherhood of her Son as
the greatest gift of all, even more than the gift of natural motherhood.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that you are
also invited to be the “mother” and the “brother” of Jesus. You share in these
holy callings through obedience to the will of the Father. The more clearly you
hear God speak and the more fully you obey all that He says will determine the
depth of spiritual union you have with Him. Our natural selves must give way to
the supernatural life of grace. Make the choice, with our Blessed Mother, to
pursue the glorious life of grace so that you will conceive the Son of God in
your heart, become a true child of the Father in Heaven, and become a spiritual
brother or sister of our Lord.
My divine Lord, Your love for Your earthly
mother was perfect in every way. That earthly bond was transformed and elevated
by Your spiritual union with her on account of Your mutual obedience to the
will of the Father. Please draw me into Your divine Family by helping me to
listen to and to obey all that the Father speaks. Jesus, I trust in You.
Tuesday 25th - Ordinary Time 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, open
my ears to hear your Word and Wisdom! Move my heart and will to put your holy
word into practice. Overcome my stubbornness and resistance to your will. Your
will is the path that leads to eternal life with you. I want to follow this
path always.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Jesus and the Path of Wisdom: Jesus
teaches the path of wisdom in the Gospel. He calls us to the obedience of
faith, to hear the Word of God and act on it. This is the way true sons and
daughters of God act; this is the way the brothers and sisters of Christ act.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is blessed not only because she was chosen to be the
Mother of God, but also because she walked blamelessly in the way of the Lord.
She gave her complete yes to God’s Word and considered herself as the handmaid
of the Lord. All generations call her blessed and seek to imitate her
unconditional acceptance of God’s will.
2. The Second Collection of Solomon’s
Proverbs: Today’s First Reading is taken from the Second Collection of
Solomon’s proverbs (Proverbs 10:1-22:16). Many of these proverbs have to do
with the two ways: the way of wisdom and life and the way of foolishness and
death. The righteous are those who listen to the voice of wisdom and lead a
life of prayer. They are urged to trust in the Lord and to be diligent in work,
humble in spirit, open to correction, and committed to truthful and guarded
speech (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and
Song of Solomon, 14). The senseless, by contrast, are given to pride,
laziness, drunkenness, and all manner of perverse and deceitful speech. They
tend to be merciless, contentious, and quick-tempered. They have no qualms
about perverting justice and conducting crooked business deals. What is worse,
they despise correction from others that would lead them toward wisdom. “The
way of folly is ultimately ‘the way of evil’ (2:12), and the one who follows it
‘dies for lack of discipline’ (5:23)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible:
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, 14).
3. Empty Sacrifices vs. Works of
Mercy: In particular, our First Reading sees the foolish as having haughty
eyes and proud hearts. The fruit of their work is sin. Those who are wicked
desire evil; those who are arrogant will be punished; those who are indifferent
to the cry of the poor will not be heard when they cry out in their need. We
are called in the Psalm to reject the way of the foolish and to walk in the law
of the Lord. When we meditate on God’s deeds and seek to understand his
precepts, we can be led by God along the path of life, the path of his
commandments. What God desires, more than empty sacrifices, is for us to
imitate him and do what is right, just, and merciful. The sacrifice of our
lives – our self-offering – is not empty when it is united to that of Christ,
empowered by divine grace, and full of works of charity.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus,
you saved me from sin and death by following the humble path of divine wisdom.
Teach me to follow in your footsteps along this path. Help me to know what to
avoid, how to stay on the path, how to overcome temptation, how to persevere through
trial, and how to finish the race.
Tuesday 25th Ordinary 2023
Opening
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love
you and I thank you for calling me to the spiritual family of the church. I
trust in you and I believe that you are my good and provident Father. As I
reflect on your words, I humbly ask for the grace to see all as my brothers and
sisters in the faith and to love them as members of my own family.
Encountering Christ:
1. The Father: Jesus
was attentive to God the Father’s will and fulfilled it perfectly. And Jesus
told us that those “who hear the word of God and act on it” become his family
members. We are as important to Jesus as his own mother, his flesh and blood.
In fact, he loves us so much he willingly died to save us from our sins. How
grateful are we to God for our status as adopted sons and daughters?
2. The Family of the Church: At a papal audience in Rome, a World Youth Day, or
similar event, participants often experience the church’s vibrancy and
diversity. Being in the presence of hundreds or thousands of fellow believers
gives the sensation of belonging to a huge family. It is peaceful, energizing,
and strengthening. It helps us remember that when we are weak, we are supported
spiritually by many others. When we are strong, we offer support to many
others. “For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have
the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually
parts of one another” (Romans 12:4-5).
3. Family Inheritance: Family members share a common inheritance. As
family members of the church, we have been promised eternal life with God in
heaven. The saints, our brothers and sisters who have gone before us, have this
to say about heaven: “Today I was in heaven, in spirit, and I saw its
inconceivable beauties and the happiness that awaits us after death. I saw how
all creatures give ceaseless praise and glory to God...This source of happiness
is unchanging in its essence, but it is always new, gushing forth happiness for
all creatures” (Sister Faustina). “There, good will shall be so ordered in us
that we shall have no other desire than to remain there eternally” (St.
Augustine). “My crown in heaven should shine with innocence and its flowers
should be radiant as the sun. Sacrifices are the flowers Jesus and Mary chose”
(St. Bernadette Soubirous). “Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal” (St.
Thomas More).
Conversing with Christ: Lord, thank you for calling me to the church's
family. Increase my awareness of the spiritual bond I share with fellow
believers, and may my actions reflect your love. Help me to prepare myself one
day for eternity with you and the rest of my family.
Resolution: Lord,
today, by your grace, I will reach out to a member of my faith community in
whichever way I feel you inviting me to do so.
