Thứ Tư Sau Chúa Nhật 12 Thuờng niên - Gospel Mt 7:15-20

Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu đã cảnh báo chúng ta rằng cái dáng bên ngoài có thể bị đánh lừa chúng ta. Chúng ta không thể chỉ đánh giá con người bởi sự cái dáng đẹp trai, hay xinh xắn bề ngoài, nhưng chúng ta phải tìm hiểu nội tâm và sự suy tính của người đó.  Một con sói có thể mặc da cừu, nhưng điều đó không làm cho nó trở thành một con cừu. Đó là một sự lừa gạt, nó cố tạo ra cái giáng con Cừu ngây thơ vô tội, nhưng thật tình nó giả cừu đề gần cừu và giết cừu con để ăn thịt. Một con cừu thật sự không bao giờ có thể ăn thịt đồng bọn, thực sự nó không bao giờ có thể làm được cái điều gian ác đó. Một con sói đội lốt cừu, nó có thể thay đổi hình dáng bề ngoài của nó nhưng sẽ không thể thay đổi cái bản chất bên trong nham hiểm độc ác của Sói. Sói vẫn hoàn là sói cho dù có có dáng dấp bề ngoài của nó là những thừ gì!.

            Nhìn những hành vi của mình, những người chung quanh chắc chắn sẽ thấy được cái bản chất thật của mình, chùm nho có được từ cây nho, và những bụi gai không thể nào sản xuất được những chùm nho, đó là bản tính tự nhiên của thiên nhiên. Trái táo không bao giờ có thể thấy từ một dây leo. Tất cả mọi thứ đều có tính chất bẩm sinh riêng biệt trong thiên nhiện

            Chúng ta cần phải nhận thức được việc đúng hay sai trong cuộc sống của chúng ta và sống theo luân lý đạo đức như một người chính trực. Tiên tri Isaia đã cảnh báo: " Khốn thay những kẻ bảo cái tốt là xấu, cái xấu là tốt,những kẻ biến tối thành sáng, sáng thành tối,(Ê-sai 5:20).

            Để chúng ta tránh được những sai lầm trong cuộc sống cá nhân của chúng ta, chúng ta phải thiết thực, thật lòng và tin tưởng nơi Thiên Chúa, với lời của Ngài, và ân sủng của Ngài đó đặc điểm và cá tính! Những người thực sự thành tâm với Thiên Chúa, họ biết rằng sức mạnh của họ không tùy thuộc chính bản thân họ, nhưng là tùy thuộc nơi Thiên Chúa, Thiên Chúa sẽ ban những gì chúng ta cần đến, Ngài luôn luôn ở bên cạnh và sẵn sàng giúp chúng ta mỗi khi cần.

            Thành quả của một môn đệ được đánh dấu bằng hy vọng, đức tin và tình yêu, công lý, thận trọng, dũng cảm và tiết độ. Để theo Chúa Giêsu Kitô, chúng ta cố nên tìm kiếm những việc làm hữu ích giống như việc trồng hoa quả tốt trong cuộc sống của chúng ta, xa lánh, chối bỏ bất cứ điều gì tạo ra hậu quả xấu xa.  Chúng ta hãy cầu xin Chúa Giêsu Kitô, Chúa chúng ta giúp cho chúng ta biết can đảm để sinh hoa đẹp, trái tốt vì phần rỗi của chúng ta, chúng ta biết chối bỏ bất cứ những điều gian ác hay gây ra gương mù, gương xấu cho người chung quanh. Xin Chúa giúp chúng ta được lớn mạnh trong đức tin, hy vọng, tình yêu trong Chúa trong sự công bằng, bác ái.`

 

Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time - Gospel Mt 7:15-20

            In the Gospel today, Jesus warns us that appearances can be deceiving. We can’t just judge people by the appearance; we have to find out what’s inside the Heart and brain. A wolf can wear a sheepskin, but that doesn’t make him a sheep. It’s a trick. He’s trying to look innocent, but he wants to eat the sheep, something a real sheep could never do. A wolf in sheep clothing may change his outward appearance but does not change his inner nature. He is still a wolf regardless of his appearance, and his behavior will show his true nature. Grapes come from grapevines and nowhere else. Thorn bushes cannot produce grapes. It’s not in their nature.  Apples can never grow from an ivy tree. Everything has an innate nature that will show through.

            We need to be aware of a true or false teacher in our lives and live according to moral truth and upright character. The prophet Isaiah warned against the dangers of falsehood: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20). How do we avoid falsehood in our personal lives? By being true, true to God, his word, and his grace, and that takes character! Those who are true to God know that their strength lies not in themselves but in God who supplies what we need.   The fruit of a disciple is marked by faith, hope and love, justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance.  To follow Jesus Christ, we seek to cultivate good fruit in your life and reject whatever produces bad fruit.  We ask our Lord Jesus to give us the courage to bear good fruit for His sake and reject whatever will produce evil fruit. Ask Him to help us grow in faith, hope, love, sound judgment, justice, courage, and self control.

 

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Tư, tuần 13 Thường Niên

            Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay cho chúng ta thấy rằng ma quỷ có thật, hiện hữu và chúng luôn tìm cách để xâm nhập vào tâm hồn và ngay cả thân xác để hãm hãi chúng ta. Ma quỷ luôn tìm cách để tách biệt chúng ta ra khỏi tình yêu của Thiên Chúa bằng cách cám dỗ và làm cho chúng ta mù quáng và không nhìn nhận ra đâu là sự thật, và ngăn cản chúng ta làm những gì đẹp lòng Thiên Chúa.

            Làm thế nào ma quỷ và sự ác có thể thành công trong việc áp đạt quyền lực của chúng trên chúng ta?  Ma quỷ sẽ tìm cách và làm bất cứ điều gì khiến cho mọi người chúng ta phải tách rời xa Thiên Chúa, chẳng hạn như việc chúng làm cho chúng ta tin rằng chúng ta là bậc thầy của chính mình, bằng cách tập trung và đạt sự chú tâm của chúng ta vào các giá trị bên ngoài, như tham lam,ích kỷ, tự đại...

            Một khi chúng ta đang sống trong đường lối của Thiên Chúa trong tình yêu, chân lý và sự thật, Nhưng nếu chúng ta lại để cho bóng tối, với tham vọng và những lời nói dối len lỏi vào trong tâm hồn của chúng ta vả từ đó ma quỷ sẽ nắm lấy cơ hội đó đễ làm chúng ta khoe khoang, chia rẽ chúng ta và Thiên Chúa. Tuy nhiên, Thiên Chúa sẽ bao bỏ rơi chúng ta mà Ngài còn ban cho chúng ta những ân sủng và cứu chúng ta trong những tình huống tuyệt vọng, ngay cả những khi chúng ta đã làm những việc mất lòng Chúa như Chúa Giêsu đã giải thoát và cứu chữa người bị quỷ ám trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay. Điều duy nhất mà chúng ta cần phải làm là phải biết đặt niềm tin của chúng ta trong bàn tay thương yêu vô biên của Chúa, hãy tin tưởng và chắc chắn rằng Ngài sẽ không bao giờ bỏ rơi chúng ta.

            Lạy Chúa, xin giải thoát chúng con thoát khỏi mọi sự dữ của những điều gian ác, và những sự cám dỗ của tội lỗi và  ma quỷ.

 

Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time 2026

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:15–16

    Saint Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, describes the fruits borne from a life steeped in sin—the works of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.” In contrast, he lists the fruits borne from a life lived in the Holy Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (cf. Galatians 5:19–23).

    Saint Paul’s words reflect Jesus’ teaching in today’s Gospel. While Jesus primarily warns against false religious leaders who lead souls astray, His teaching applies to all influential voices that shape hearts and minds. The “fruits” of a person’s life reveal the truth of their character—not only in their ministry but also in the lives of those who follow them. People in past generations were primarily influenced by family, neighbors, or community members. Today, television, the Internet, and social media have introduced a new and powerful class of influencers—many of whom we have never met—who shape our values, habits, and aspirations.

    Young people, in particular, are highly susceptible to such influences. Social media influencers, through carefully curated images, short video clips, and charismatic messaging, often portray a life of happiness and success that their followers long to imitate. The seductive nature of these figures—who appear to reveal the secrets to success, beauty, relationships, or wealth—can subtly shape moral outlooks. Many promote ideas and values contrary to the Gospel, presenting a lifestyle that leads not to the fruits of the Spirit but to the works of the flesh.

    However, this influence is not limited to the young. Across all ages, cultures, political affiliations, and occupations, people are swayed by voices in the media, in entertainment, and even within the Church. False prophets do not always present themselves as explicitly evil; their words are often mixed with just enough truth to seem compelling. Yet, as Jesus warns, “by their fruits you will know them.”

We must apply Saint Paul’s contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit to those we allow to shape our lives. Many modern influencers, though they appear polished and successful, subtly promote immorality, impurity, selfishness, dissensions, factions, and envy. These values are often woven into the media we consume—television, music, social platforms, and even popular ideologies. Despite the clear dangers, many are drawn in by these influences and are affected more deeply than they realize. Thus, discernment is essential.

    The best safeguard against false prophets is a life firmly rooted in Christ. We must immerse ourselves in prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments, where the Holy Spirit will grant us the wisdom to discern truth from deception.

    Reflect today on the fruit Jesus calls you to bear: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Who in your life—whether in person or through media—most inspires these qualities in you? Resolve today to fill your mind and heart with voices that bear good fruit. Seek out those whose words and actions align with the Gospel, and actively turn away from those who promote division, impurity, vanity, and selfish ambition. By doing so, you will be heeding Jesus’ warning: “Beware of false prophets.” The battle for your soul—and the souls of the next generation—begins with the voices we choose to hear.

    My Lord of abundant fruitfulness, when You dwell within me, my life bears good fruit for Your Kingdom, for others, and for my own soul. Grant me wisdom to discern the voices around me—to reject those not from You and to follow those filled with Your Spirit. May I, too, be a holy voice, shining Your light for all to see. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

“Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.” Matthew 7:16–17

    “So by their fruits you will know them.” This is how our Gospel passage for today concludes. It offers us an exceptionally practical way by which you can discern the working of God in your own life and in the life of others.

    When you look at your own life, what good fruit, born for the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God, do you see? Some people may find little to no fruit born, either for good or bad. Such complacency is, in and of itself, bad fruit. Other people may see an abundance of fruit, thus producing many consequences in this world. They influence the lives of many, and their public actions make a true difference. Sometimes for good…and other times for evil.

    When discerning the actions of God in our world, we must first be very objective. The evil one is always very deceptive and regularly presents his bad fruit as good. For example, the legalization of abortion is often presented by many within our world as a “right to choose” or a “health service.” But the intentional death of any unborn child is clearly “bad fruit” from a “rotten tree.” There are even many so-called “humanitarian groups” or very wealthy “philanthropists” who present their work as “good fruit,” when it is anything but good. And on the contrary, there are many who work hard to bring forth a greater respect for life from the moment of conception to natural death, or strive to uphold the sacredness of marriage as God designed it, or work to promote the freedom to worship in accord with the will of God, but are labeled by the secular world as prejudiced, bigoted, fearmongers and even hateful. But their work, done very sacrificially, truly does bear good fruit for the Kingdom of God.

    How about your own life? When you examine your actions and the fruit born of those actions, from where does that fruit originate? Does it come from a false sense of compassion, a misguided “charity,” and a fear of being criticized for standing for the truth? Or does it come from a deep love of God, an awareness of the truth God has revealed to us, and through a courageous proclamation of the pure Gospel?

    Good fruit, born from the heart of the Father in Heaven, will always mirror the truths of our faith. A false sense of compassion, false accusations, persecutions and the like will flow from the rotten trees in our world. We must work diligently to be those good trees that bear the good fruit coming from God. This requires a radical commitment to do what is right in the face of the evil all around us.

    Reflect, today, upon these images Jesus presents. Do you see clearly both the good and bad fruit around you? Is your life helping to foster the lies of the evil one or the truth and love of God? Look at the fruit your life bears, as well as the fruit within our world, in an objective way, comparing it to the clear and unambiguous teachings of Jesus. Seek out that good fruit with all your heart and do all you can to bring it forth, no matter the cost, and you will not only save your soul, you will also help feed others with the good fruit of Heaven.

    My Lord of all truthfulness, You and You alone define the good and evil in our world. Your truth reveals the good fruit that is born to nourish the growth of Your glorious Kingdom. Give me courage and clarity of mind and heart so that I may continually do all that You call me to do so as to bring the good fruit of the Kingdom to all in need. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time 2025

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I want to be a good tree in your orchard. Prune me and nourish me so that I may bear good fruit for your Kingdom. Cut away the stubbornness of my heart. Fill me with the warm light of your Son and the life-giving water of your Spirit.

Encountering the Word of God

1. From Promises to Covenants: When we read the Genesis story of Abram, later named Abraham, we see how God elevates each of his three promises to Abram to covenants. The first promise was that God would make Abram a great nation. As the years passed, Abram grew somewhat impatient when he didn’t see the fulfillment of that promise. In the First Reading, we hear him complain that he has no children and that one of his servants was going to end up as his heir. God responded to Abram’s complaint by asking him to contemplate the stars and number them: “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so shall your descendants be.” Abram responded to God with faith, not doubt. Now, on a clear night away from the city, we can only see between 2,000 and 4,500 stars. You reach this number of descendants in 11 to 12 generations. In response, Abram trusted that God would be faithful to his promise and covenant and that his descendants would be numerous. God added that Abram’s descendants would possess the land of Canaan. And when Abram asked for a sign, the Lord God responded by making a binding covenant. The Lord passed through the sacrificed animals alone, signifying that he would be faithful to his promise and covenant. Abram believed the Lord God, and this act of faith was rewarded with the “grant covenant” of nationhood and land: “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River the Euphrates.”

2. The Lord Remembers His Covenant Forever: Psalm 105 is a prayer that contemplates the fidelity of the Lord to his covenants. “The psalm accents the Lord’s faithfulness to Israel: all the miracles, provisions, and acts of deliverance displayed in early biblical history show that God went to great lengths to fulfill his covenant oath to give Abraham’s offspring ‘the land of Canaan … for an inheritance’ (105:11)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 920). The covenant that God made with Abraham was reiterated to his son, Isaac, and his grandson, Jacob (Israel) (Psalm 105:9-11). We notice that God did not require Abram to walk between the covenant pieces. This means that it was a grant covenant, like that given to Noah. Just as Noah believed God, so also Abram believed. And just as God swore to Noah that he would not destroy the earth again with a flood, so also God swore to Abram that he would father a great nation and his descendants would occupy the land of Canaan. God is faithful to his covenants, even when we are not.

3. Warning against False Prophets: In the Gospel today, Jesus warns his followers to be on guard against false prophets, who claim to speak for God but actually teach in opposition to the Gospel. False prophets are wolves dressed like sheep. How can we distinguish false prophets from true teachers? “Jesus tells us to examine their behavior. On the principle that like produces like, we are to evaluate the fruits of their lives. If their actions and their character show forth good things, such as grapes and figs, then the prophet is a good and trustworthy tree. However, if the works of the alleged prophet produce prickly thistles or a harvest of bad fruit, then he has blown his cover – the self-styled prophet is really a rotten tree that cannot be trusted” (Mitch and Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, 120). With time, the sheepskin the false prophet wears will fall off, and the fruit of their works will be revealed as rotten. With time, the works of true prophets reveal that they are good and lasting. They are true sheep who faithfully heed the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Suy Niệm Ngày 24- Lễ Sinh Nhật Thánh Gian Tẩy Giả

Suy Niệm Ngày 24- Lễ Sinh Nhật Thánh Gian Tẩy Giả

Thánh Gian Tẩy Giả được sinh ra trong hoàn cảnh kỳ lạ. Khi đến lúc đặt tên cho đứa trẻ Gioan. Những người than, hàng xóm đã tập trung trong bữa tiệc gia đình và muốn đặt tên đứa trẻ theo tên của người cha là Zechariah. Nhưng bà Elizabeth không tán thành và bà tuyên bố rằng con trẻ phải đặt tên là Gioan theo như lời sứ thần truyền cho ông Zachariah, thế nhưng bà đã bị những người bà con trong thân tôđc phản đội. Họ đành gọi ông Zechariah để hỏi ý ông, Vì ông bị Chúa phạt câm nên ông đã xin tấm bảng và ông viết là Gioan Sau đó ông đã hết bị câm và ca ngợi Thiên Chúa trong sự ngạc nhiên của mọi người..

Trong Kinh thánh, việc đặt tên của một người biểu thị vai trò và đóng góp độc nhất của người đó cho kế hoạch cứu rỗi của Chúa. Bằng cách tách tên Thánh Gioan ra khỏi lịch sử gia đình của mình, Người viết Tin Mừng này đã thu hút sự chú ý của chúng ta về nguồn thiêng liêng của tên Thánh Gioan. Thánh Gioan được hình thành nhờ sự can thiệp của Thiên Chúa, được đặt tên theo mệnh lệnh của Thiên Chúa. Nói cách khác, tên Gioan đích thực đã được đích thân Chúa chọn. Và trong việc nêu tên của Thánh Gioan, chúng ta được hướng dẫn để suy nghĩ về ý nghĩa cá nhân của Thánh Gioan trong lịch sử. Như Tháng Phaolô đã cho cúng ta thấy trong bài đọc thứ hai, với Thánh Gioan tẩy Giả, nhiệm vụ rảo giảng Tin Mừng của Chúa Giêsu bắt đầu. Có lẽ, hôm nay là thời điểm tốt để chúng ta suy ngậm về tên của chính mình, cũng như về vai trò và đóng góp mà chúng ta đang thực hiện cho kế hoạch cứu rỗi của Thiên Chúa. Chúng ta hãy nhớ rằng, sự ra đời của chúng ta không phải là một sự ngẫu nhiên hay một sự kiện không đáng kể trong con mắt của Thiên Chúa. Chúa đưa chúng ta vào thế giới với một mục đích và chúng ta phải có trách nhiệm khám phá và hoàn thành cái nhiệm vụ đó với tất cả những khả năng tốt nhất của chúng ta.

Lạy Chúa, xin giúp chúng con khám phá ra được cá vị trí và vai trò độc đáo của chúng con trong lịch sử làm người trong nhân loại của chúng con

 

24th June - The Nativity of St John the Baptist: - Is. 49:1-6; Lk. 1:57-66,80

John the Baptist was born under strange circumstances. Now the time had come for his parents to name the child. The relatives and neighbours who had gathered for the ceremony expected the child to be named after his father, Zechariah. When Elizabeth intervened and stated that the child’s name would be John, her proposal was met with objection. They appealed to Zechariah. His affirmation that “His name is John” evokes surprise and a sense of wonder.

            In the Scriptures, the naming of a person signifies his or her unique role and contribution to God’s plan of salvation. By disassociating John’s name from his family history, the Gospel writer draws our attention to the divine source of John’s name. John, who was conceived by divine intervention, was named by divine mandate. In other words, John’s name was personally chosen by God. And by stating the naming of John, we are led to reflect on John’s personal significance in history. As Paul points out in the second reading, with John the Baptist, the mission of Jesus begins.

            Perhaps, today is a good time to reflect on your own name, as well as on the role and contribution you are making to God’s salvific plan. Remember, your birth was no accident or an insignificant event in God’s eyes. God brought you into the world for a purpose, and you have a responsibility to discover and fulfill it to the best of your ability. Lord, help me discover my unique place and role in history.

 

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, June 24

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Luke 1:59–63

The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is one of only three birthdays the Church celebrates with a liturgical feast—the others being those of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. This extraordinary honor reveals the singular role Saint John played in salvation history as the Forerunner who prepared the way for the Lord. Three profound mysteries surrounding John’s birth invite our reflection.

First, Elizabeth’s pregnancy in her old age, after years of barrenness and beyond natural childbearing years, was a deliberate sign of divine intervention and a testimony to God’s power and mercy. Recall that a similar miracle occurred when Sarah conceived Isaac in her old age. Spiritually, Elizabeth represents Israel—and all humanity—trapped in the barrenness of sin. By bringing forth life from her barren womb, God manifests His ability to bring forth new life where human effort fails.

Second, the bestowal of John’s name reveals the divine initiative governing his life and mission. In the biblical tradition, names are rich with meaning, often disclosing a person’s identity and destiny. The name “John,” meaning “The Lord is gracious,” was not chosen by his parents, but was announced by the angel Gabriel before his conception (cf. Luke 1:13). When Elizabeth and Zechariah insist upon the name given by God, they demonstrate their obedience to divine revelation over human custom. Their relatives’ confusion—“There is no one among your relatives who has this name”—highlights how this birth breaks from human expectations. John is not to carry on his father’s name or legacy; he is set apart entirely for the mission of preparing the way for the Messiah. In this, we see a lesson for every Christian: Our true identity and mission are not rooted in earthly lineage or human tradition but are given to us by the free and gracious call of God.

Finally, the restoration of Zechariah’s speech after months of divinely imposed silence serves as a powerful sign of faith’s triumph over doubt. Zechariah had been struck mute because of his initial disbelief at the angel’s announcement (cf. Luke 1:20). During Elizabeth’s pregnancy, he lived in silence—a silence that must have been filled with contemplation, repentance, and deeper trust. It was only when he confirmed God’s command by writing, “John is his name,” that his tongue was loosed. His first act upon regaining his speech was to bless God, revealing that his heart had been purified and transformed. The loosening of Zechariah’s tongue prefigures the prophetic voice of his son John, who would cry out in the wilderness, calling Israel to repentance. Spiritually, it also reminds us that true praise of God flows from hearts made humble and obedient to His will.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, reflect today not only on John’s unique role in salvation history but also on how God desires to work in our own lives. If you experience moments of barrenness or dryness in your faith, take hope from John’s miraculous birth: God can bring forth new life even from what seems lifeless. As John’s name revealed the graciousness of God, so too are you called to trust in His mercy at work within you. And as Zechariah learned obedience and deeper faith through his silent suffering, pray that you may embrace any hidden trials you endure, allowing them to purify your heart and prepare you to proclaim God’s goodness with renewed joy.

Lord of Wisdom and Love, Your plan for our salvation is perfect and far beyond our understanding. As Your Church celebrates the birth of Saint John the Baptist, grant me a renewed appreciation for his life and mission. May he prepare my heart for You, as he did for Your coming, so that I, like his father Zechariah, may sing Your praises with a loosed tongue. Jesus, I trust in You

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24th June - The Nativity of St John the Baptist 2026

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you guide the course of history and know all things. You prepared your people to receive your Son as their Messiah and Redeemer and to receive the grace of the New Covenant. I welcome your Son today as my Lord and my God and humbly ask for the gift of your Spirit.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Three Months Have Passed: Three months have passed since we celebrated the Annunciation to Mary and the Incarnation of Jesus, the Son of God. Mary, we recall, did not remain in Nazareth, but rose in haste to go and serve her cousin Elizabeth, who, according to the words of the angel Gabriel, was six months pregnant. For three months, Mary attended to the needs of her cousin and served with generous charity. Today, we celebrate the birth – the nativity – of John. The name “Elizabeth” means “My God’s oath.” Her name and the line, “the Lord has shown great mercy toward her,” recall God’s covenant mercy and fidelity. “God has kept his word and his covenant with Elizabeth, and granted her a blessing as a faithful daughter of his people” (Bergsma, The Word of the Lord: Solemnities and Feasts, 310). The name of Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah, means “YHWH has remembered.” The song he will sing praises God for his faithfulness. He proclaims that God’s covenant oaths to David, concerning an everlasting throne, and to Abraham, about a blessing for all nations, will be fulfilled. “God’s covenant oath to Abraham (Genesis 22:16-18) nears its fulfillment in the preparatory role played by John’s parents. Even their names symbolize that God remembers (Zechariah) his oath (Elizabeth) and will soon fulfill it through the mission of John and Jesus” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1832).

2. John and the Essenes: The last line of today’s Gospel passage tells us that John was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. This points to the possibility that at a young age, John joined the Essenes of Qumran, a community living in the desert near the Dead Sea. Where John began his ministry of baptism was within walking distance of Qumran. “Both John and the Qumranites placed great emphasis on washing with water in conjunction with repentance for sins” (Bergsma, Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls, 33). John seems to have extended baptism not only to Jewish men but also to women and even to Gentiles. Isaiah 40:3, which announced the voice in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord, was important to both the Qumran community and to John. John claims that his baptism of repentance was only a preparation for the one who was to come after him. That John was sent as a child to the Essenes lines up with their practice of celibacy and of welcoming other persons’ children to be taught and form part of the community. Zechariah and Elizabeth were elderly and from priestly families, and could have entrusted John’s upbringing to the Essene community. It is possible that John later left the community when he disagreed with them about who would receive salvation. The Essenes seemed to focus on the elite among Israel who would be saved by the coming Messiah. Through John’s meditation and study of the prophet Isaiah, “he eventually found himself at odds with the community that had formed him. For the prophet Isaiah clearly prophesied a coming salvation for all nations, in other words, all the Gentiles. … John was insistent that God’s message of salvation should go out to all the people, not just an elite among Israel – and the argument led to his expulsion from the community (Bergsma, Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls, 40-41).

3. Paul’s Preaching about John the Baptist: The Second Reading is taken from an important sermon Paul gave in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41). The theme of his sermon was the Good News that the promises of the Davidic covenant were fulfilled by the Resurrection of Jesus. Paul first summarized Israel’s history and how God was faithful to his covenants. Israel was chosen by God to bless and redeem the nations, a purpose that God revealed to Abraham and began to fulfill through David. Paul asserted that the covenant promises made to David have been fulfilled: “God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel as savior, Jesus” (Acts 13:23) (see Pimentel, Witnesses of the Messiah, 117). Paul proclaims that John the Baptist’s ministry and baptism of repentance were a preparation for the salvation brought by Jesus. This salvation was extended and sent out to the whole world through the ministry of the Apostles. It is the same salvation in Christ that we have graciously received.

 

Suy Niệm Lễ Kính Sinh Nhật Thánh Gioan Tẩy Giả- 24/6 

Tại sao sự ra đời của Thánh Gioan Tẩy Giả lại được mang tính chất phụng vụ quang trọng như vậy trọng giáo hội? Thưa là bởi vì một cách thực tế, cuộc đời của Thánh Gioan Tẩy Giả, từ đầu đến cuối, là kiểu sống mà mỗi người chúng ta nên cố bắt chước và sống như thế.

Bằng cách tập trung sự chú ý của chúng ta vào Thánh Gioan Tẩy Giả, hôm nay phụng vụ mời gọi chúng ta suy ngẫm về ý nghĩa của việc trở thành một người Kitô giáo. Tất nhiên, một người Kitô giáo là một môn đệ hoặc môn đồ của Chúa Giêsu Kitô. Nhưng, với tư cách là một người Kitô Giáo thì những ý nghĩa cụ thể của việc theo Chúa Giêsu Kitô là gì? Một ngụ ý ở đây là: theo Chúa Giêsu Kitô, thì người Kitô giáo phải là một người Công Giáo chân chính, một người luôn biết đứng lên để chống lại nền văn hóa bại hoại của xã hội hiện tại. Thánh Gioan tẩy giả là một người có mô hình rõ ràng và thuyết phục của người đi ngược lại với văn hóa của người Do thái. Vì vậy, khi chúng ta suy ngẫm về cuộc đời của thánh Gioan, chúng ta sẽ học được rất nhiều điều về cách đi theo Chúa Jêsus liên quan đến việc chúng ta trờ thành những người đi ngược lại với nền văn hóa bại hoại trong xã hội ngày nay. Có rất nhiều lãnh vực trong cuộc sống hiện đại mà chúng ta, là những người môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu Kitô được kêu gọi để chống lại những văn hoá đi ngược lại với thiên nhiên và đi ngược lại với 10 điều răn Chúa dạy.

Hôm nay chúng ta hãy suy ngẫm về ba lãnh vực trong cuộc sống của chúng ta ngày nay:

Trong lãnh vực đầu tiên của chúng ta là : chúng ta phải biét tự nhận bản thân chính mình. Khi chúng ta tự nhận biết là ai, chúng ta chấp nhận mình là một người có sự khác biệt với những người khác. Ông Gioan tẩy giả biết rất rõ ràng là ông ta là ai và ông không phải là ai. Như ông đã nói với người Do thái hỏi ông: "các ông đã nghĩ rằng Tôi là? Tôi không phải là Đấng Cứu Thế. Nhưng là một người đang đến sau tôi, Tôi không xứng đáng để cở dép cho Người." Và ông ta biết ông ta là ai, ông chỉ là: một tiếng nói trong sa mạc, một người được gởi đến để chuẩn bị đường cho Chúa đi. "Ông ta biết rằng ông ta là người đi trước để báo trước về Đấng cứu thế. Chúng ta cũng đi ngược cái văn hóa, chống lại cái bản sắc của chúng ta. Mỗi chúng ta là người được Thiên Chúa yêu thương và ban tặng sự sống con người ngay từ lúc chúng ta được tao thầnh trong bào thai của người mẹ. Mỗi người chúng ta, ai cũng đều có phẩm giá con Người và có giá trị vô hạn trước mặt Thiên Chúa không phải vì về những gì chúng ta làm, nhưng vì chúng ta được tác tạo trong hình ảnh của Thiên Chúa.Chúng ta là người đã được thánh hiến khi chúng ta chịu Phép rửa tội, chúng ta được dự phần vào đời sống thần linh của Thiên Chúa và được kêu gọi trở nên môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu Kitô. Chúng ta là những con người yếu đuối, chúng ta có những điểm mạnh và điểm yếu, vì thế mỗi ngày chúng ta được mời gọi để hoán cải để nên thánh. Giống như Thánh Gioan Tẩy giả, mỗi người chúng ta phải biết trung thực về con người của chính mình. Điều này sẽ khác biệt như thế nào trong văn hóa của chúng ta về sự thụ động và tự mạo nhận chính mình.

Thứ hai, các giá trị làm ảnh hưởng đến sự lựa chọn và quyết định của chúng ta. các giá trị của Thánh Gioan Tẩy giả cũng rõ ràng và chắc chắn. Sự thật được bắt nguồn từ Lời Chúa. Vì thế, ông Gioan đã đối mặt với những người có cuộc sống đạo đức giả. Thiên Chúa là trọng tâm Sự thật. Vì vậy, ông Gioan đã tuyên bố: "Ngài phải tiến lên, còn tôi phải suy giảm." Đây là sự biển đổi. Vì vậy, ông Gioan đã thách thức con người chúng ta phải biết cải cách cá nhân và thay đổi con tim của mình, chúng ta phải có sự chung thủy. Và vì thế, ông ta đã chết đi với một cái chết của một người tử đạo để làm chứng cho sự thật. Giống như thánh Goan Tẩy giả, chúng ta cũng phải chống lại cái nền văn hóa trên những giá trị mà chúng ta hình thành và chúng ta đang sống. Chúng ta phải coi lẽ thật làm kim chỉ nam của chúng ta vì lẽ thật được bắt nguồn từ Lời Chúa và được Giáo hội dạy dỗ. Sự thật đó chính là Phúc Âm của Cuộc sống và là sự huy hoàng của chân lý, và sự thật là trọng tâm trong cuộc sống của chúng ta với Thiên Chúa. Sự thật về cuộc sống trong mọi giai đoạn, bắt đầu từ khi chúng ta được tạo thành trong lòng mẹ và được kết thúc khi chúng ta chết trong tự nhiên; đó chính là lẽ thật về lối sống có đạo đức. Giống như thánh Gioan Tẩy giả, mỗi người chúng ta được hình thành và phải sống trong những giá trị được tích hợp với Sự thật. Điều này sẽ là những khác biệt giữa cách sống của chúng ta với những văn hóa mà các giá trị của nó là giả tạo, dối trá và trống rỗng.

Thứ ba, phong cách sống của chúng ta phải là mô hình về cách chúng ta sống cuộc sống từng ngày. Lối sống của thánh Gioan Tẩy giả rất đơn giản, thậm chí rất khắc khổ. Chúng ta phải đi ngược lại với văn hóa về phong cách sống thực tại của chúng ta. Chúng ta nên kiểm thảo coi xem chúng ta có sống đơn giản và không giả tạo? Chúng ta có dùng nguồn lực Chúa ban cho một cách có trách nhiệm, có phúc lợi của gia đình của chúng ta và biết quảng đại với những người thực sự nghèo khó và thiếu thốn không? Quần áo của chúng ta mặc có phản ánh đến cơ thể chúng ta là đền thờ của Chúa Thánh Thần không? và, qua thứ đó chúng ta có đáng được tôn trọng? Chúng ta có coi trọng những người khác trong cuộc sống của chúng ta và kính trọng họ trên cả những thứ vật chất? chúng ta có dành nhiều thời giờ cho họ hơn là dành thời giờ để kiếm được nhiều tiền hơn?

Giống như John the Baptist, mỗi người chúng ta phải có một lối sống để cho Tin Mừng của Chúa Kitô được lan toả khắp nơi, và có ảnh hưởng rộng lớn hơn. Đây chính là điều khác biệt giữa nền văn hóa của chúng ta với phong cách sống không đích thực của thế giới hiện tại. Cuối cùng, chúng ta phải phản ảnh cái văn hóa thực chất của người Kitô giáo, chúng ta phải sống trong bản chất thực sự của người Kitô giáo, trong tất cả mỗi ngày trong cuộc sống, không phải là chỉ trong ngày Chủ nhật. Chúng ta được kêu gọi và thách thức để tuyên xưng đức tin của chúng ta bằng phong cách sống hợp thời trang của chúng ta, bởi những giá trị mà chúng ta hình thành, bởi những bản sắc riêng mà chúng ta phản ánh, luôn sẵn lòng đặt Chúa Giêsu là trọng tâm trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta. Chúng ta phải chống lại văn hóa sự chết hiện tại bằng những hành động của chúng ta hơn là những lời nói không: "Chúa Giêsu là Chúa."

Đó là những gì mà thánh Gioan tẩy giả đã làm. Đó là điều chúng ta phải cố gắng làm và để sống với cuộc sống của thánh nhân trong chúng ta. Đó là thông điệp của ngày hôm nay ngày lễ kính nhớ ngày sinh nhật của Gioan Tẩy Giả.

 

REFLECTION the Birth of St. John the Baptist June 24

Why is the Birth of St. John the Baptist given such liturgical importance? Because in a real way, the life of St. John the Baptist, from beginning to end, is the kind of life each one of us should be living. By focusing our attention on St. John, the Baptist, today's liturgy is inviting us to reflect on what it means to be a Christian. Of course, a Christian is a follower or disciple of Jesus Christ. But what are the concrete implications of following Jesus Christ, of Christian discipleship?

One implication is this: to follow Jesus Christ, to be a genuine Christian, demands standing against the culture. The disciple of Jesus Christ is counter-cultural. St. John the Baptist is a clear and convincing model of the counter-cultural person. So, by reflecting on his life, we learn a great deal about how following the Lord Jesus involves our being counter-cultural in today's society. There are many areas in contemporary living in which you and I, as disciples of Jesus Christ, are called upon to be counter-cultural. Let me propose for our reflection today three: (1) self-identity, (2) values, (3) life-style.

First, self-identity. Self-identity implies understanding and accepting who one is as a person. John the Baptist was very clear about who he was and was not. John would say: "Who do you suppose that I am? I am not the Messiah or Savior. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet." John knew who he was: a voice crying out in the wilderness, one called to prepare the way of the Lord." He knew that he was the herald of the Messiah, the servant of the Lord, a light to the nations. We too must be counter-cultural in terms of our self-identity. Each of us is a person loved by God and gifted with human life at conception. Each one of us is a person of infinite dignity and worth, not because of what we do, but because of who we are in the sight of God, namely a person consecrated at Baptism, given a share in God's own divine life and called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are people with strengths and weaknesses, invited daily to conversion and holiness. Like John the Baptist, each one of us must be honest about who we are. How different this will be in our culture of restlessness and self- pretensions.

Second, values. Values influence our choices and decisions. John the Baptist's values were likewise clear and certain. There was truth rooted in the Word of God. So, he confronted hypocritical religious living. There was the centrality of God. So, he proclaimed: "He must increase, I must decrease." There was conversion. So, he challenged people to personal reform and to a change of heart. There was fidelity. So, he died a martyr's death for the sake of truth. Like John the Baptist, we too must be counter-cultural in terms of the values we formulate and by which we live. We must make the truth our guiding principle, the truth that is rooted in God's Word and taught by the Church. The truth that is The Gospel of Life and The Splendor of the Truth, the truth about the centrality of God in our lives and in the world. The truth about life in every stage, beginning at conception and ending at natural death; the truth about moral living. Like John the Baptist, each of us must formulate and live values which are integrated with the Truth. How different this will be in our culture whose values are fake, false and, therefore, empty.

Third, life-style. Life-style implies the pattern of how we go about living life day by day. John the Baptist's lifestyle was simple, even very austere. We must be counter-cultural in terms of our life-style. Do we live simply and without pretense, using responsibly our resources for the welfare of our families and the support of those who are truly poor and in need? Does our clothing reflect the understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and, therefore, deserving of respect? Do we value the persons in our lives above material things, so that we spend more time with them than with earning more money? Like John the Baptist, each one of us must fashion a lifestyle that will make the Gospel easier to preach, to see, to influence. How different this will be in our culture with its self-centered and inauthentic life-style. Ultimately, we must be counter-cultural in terms of being really Christian, genuinely Christian, in all of life, not just at the Sunday liturgy. We are called and challenged to declare by the life-style we fashion, by the values we formulate, by the self-identity we reflect, the centrality of Jesus in our daily lives. We must be counter- cultural by proclaiming more through action than by words: "Jesus is Lord." That is what John the Baptist did. That is what we must try to do and to be, in reliving his life in ours. That is the message of today's feast, celebrating the birth of John the Baptist.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba 12th Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Ba 12th Thường Niên

Hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu đã đưa ra cho chúng ta ba lời khuyên: Lời khuyên đầu tiên, "Không đem vật thánh cho cho chó, hoặc ném ngọc trai trước mõn lợn.

            Chúa Giêsu đã cho chúng ta thấy sự tương phản giữa vật hiếm quý như ngọc trai và của thánh, và những con vật dơ bẩn như chó và lợn. Ngọc trai là vật có giá trị rất lớn và thậm chí được coi là vô giá được đem ra so với sự thánh thiện bởi vì Thiên Chúa là đấng thánh, là tất cả,  Ngài mời gọi chúng ta đến để chia sẻ sự thánh thiện vô cùng quý báu và vô giá, ở đây Chúa Giêsu muốn nói đến sự quan tâm của Ngài là Đức tin trong sự tinh khiết. Một đức tin mà đã được Thiên Chúa thánh hóa.         

            Theo các giáo huấn của Giáo hội đã dạy:  Không ai được nhận lãnh Mình và Máu Thánh Chúa ngoại trừ những người đã được rửa tội và đã xưng tội, dọn mình sạch sẽ, vì thế mà Chúa đã nói: "Không cho chó những gì là vật thánh" Chúa Giêsu mời gọi chúng ta đến tham dự vào bàn tiệc Thánh với Người, nhưng chúng ta phải đến một cách xứng đáng.

            Chúa Giêsu đã tóm lược giáo lý trong Cựu Ước "bất cứ điều gì bạn muốn người ta làm cho bạn, bạn hãy làm như vậy với họ" (Mt 7:12). Luật yêu thương không phải chỉ là đòi hỏi bạn tránh gây thương tích hoặc gây tổn hại cho người khác, Nhưng tình yêu tuyệt vời là một tình yêu đòi hỏi vô điều kiện và Tình yêu này phải được tỏ ra cho tất cả mọi người.

            Nếu chúng ta có thể làm cả những gì điều trên, chúng ta đã đi đúng đường mà Chúa muốn. Con đường dẫn chúng ta đến cuộc sống đời đời. Chúa đã cho chúng ta sự tự do lựa chọn con đường mà chúng ta sẽ đi, Con đường rộng thênh thang hay con đường nhỏ hẹp gồ gề khó đi.  Xin Chúa cho chúng ta được khôn ngoan để chọn con đường sẽ dẫn đến cuộc sống đời đời hơn là con đường dẫn đến cái chết và sự tiêu diệt. Nếu chúng ta để tình yêu và sự khôn ngoan của Thiên Chúa cai trị tâm hồn chúng ta, chúng ta có thể tin tưởng vào sự hướng dẫn và ân sủng của Người để đi theo con đường của tình yêu và sự thánh thiện

 

Reflection Tuesday 12th Odinary Gospel Mt 7:6, 12-14

Today, the Lord makes three recommendations. The first one, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine”. Second one: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you”. And the third one is: “Enter through the narrow gate.” Jesus makes a contrast in which “assets” are associated with “pearls” and to what “is holy”; and “dogs and pigs” to what is impure. Pearls were of very great value and even considered priceless. The same with holiness because God is all-holy and he invites us to share in his holiness which is very precious and priceless as well. Jesus’ concern here is purity, the purity of the faith which has been entrusted to us by God the most holy.  The early church referenced this expression with the Eucharist. According to the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, a first century church manual stated: Let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized into the name of the Lord; for, as regards this, the Lord has said, 'Do not give what is holy to dogs.' The Lord Jesus invites us to his table, but we must approach worthily. 

            Jesus summed up the teaching of the Old Testament law “So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them” (Matthew 7:12). The law of love requires more than simply avoiding injury or harm to one's neighbor. Perfect love, a love which is unconditional and which reaches out to all, always seeks the good of others for their sake and gives the best we can offer for their welfare. When we love our neighbors and treat them in the same way we wish to be treated. Loving God with all that we have and are and loving our neighbor as ourselves. How can we love our neighbor selflessly and show them kindness and concern for their welfare?  If we empty our hearts of all unkind and unloving thoughts and sentiments, then there will only be room for kindness, goodness, charity, and mercy. Saint Paul reminds us in the letter to the Romans that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).  It is the love of God that fuels our unconditional love for others, let the Holy Spirit transform our life with the purifying fire of God's love.  If we can do both what recommends above, we are on the right track the way that leads to fulfillment and life versus the way that leads to destruction and death. The Lord gives us freedom to choose which way we will go. Ask him for the wisdom to know which way will lead to life rather than to death and destruction. In the book of Deuteronomy teach us: “See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. ...Therefore choose life that you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). If we allow God's love and wisdom to rule our hearts, then we can trust in his guidance and grace to follow the path of love and holiness.

 

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6

Today’s Gospel contains one of Christ’s more difficult teachings. At first glance, His words seem harsh. Yet they reveal a profound truth: the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven require a heart properly disposed to receive them. Divine truths are not to be offered indiscriminately, especially to those who would treat them with scorn or hostility. Faith is essential to receive and understand the deeper mysteries of God. Jesus expressed a similar principle at the Last Supper when He told the Twelve: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth” (John 16:12–13).

Though Jesus, as the eternal Word of God, possessed perfect and complete knowledge of divine truth, He did not reveal everything to His disciples all at once. Had He done so, they might have been overwhelmed. Even His closest followers often struggled to grasp His teachings, misunderstanding His words and resisting difficult truths. Yet Christ unveils the mysteries of His Kingdom gradually, according to each person’s ability to receive them.

The divine mysteries are so deep, vast, and profound that we will only fully comprehend them when we behold God face to face in the Beatific Vision. Until then, His deeper truths remain veiled. This does not mean we should cease seeking them; rather, as we grow in faith and knowledge of God, He lifts the veil little by little, drawing us closer to Himself. As we progress in holiness, He perfects within us the spiritual Gift of Wisdom, which ultimately deepens our love for Him.

The pearls Jesus refers to symbolize these divine mysteries—treasures of divine Wisdom that must be sought, cherished, and received with reverence. This principle of gradual revelation is also seen in the ministry of Saint Paul. After his dramatic conversion, Paul received extraordinary spiritual insights, yet he recognized that his listeners were not always ready for the fullness of divine teaching. To the Corinthians, he wrote: “Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it” (1 Corinthians 3:1–2).

Like Saint Paul, when God grants us glimpses of His divine Wisdom, we must treasure these revelations, ponder them in faith, and allow Him to deepen His communication with us. At the same time, as we share our faith with others, we must be mindful of their openness and capacity to receive what is holy—the pearls of divine truth. Though the saving message of the Gospel must be preached to all, the deepest mysteries are attained only through prayer and an interior receptivity to grace.

When Jesus warns, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine…”, He is not discouraging evangelization. Rather, He is teaching us that not everyone is immediately receptive to the hidden mysteries of the Gospel. Some might reject it outright, treat it with indifference, or even respond with hostility. Thus, just as Saint Paul recognized the need to nourish spiritual infants with milk, not solid food, we too must exercise prudence in sharing the deepest divine truths, ensuring that they are offered in a way that hearts are prepared to receive.

Reflect today on your own openness to God’s eternal truth. Are you like an infant in need of spiritual milk? If so, drink that milk eagerly, allowing it to nourish your soul. As you mature in faith, devote more time to prayerful contemplation of God’s Word, seeking His wisdom with a receptive heart. If God entrusts you with the role of feeding others, do so with love and gentleness, discerning the pearls God wants you to share. Only by first being receptive ourselves will we be prepared to be the instruments and evangelists that God calls us to be.

Lord of Eternal Wisdom, the mysteries of faith are vast and beyond my comprehension without Your grace. Draw me ever closer to You, unveiling Your hidden presence and the precious pearls of Your Truth. Deepen my understanding, that I may ponder Your mysteries with a receptive heart. As I grow in faith, use me as You will to nourish others according to their need, leading them ever deeper into Your divine Wisdom. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time 2026

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have entrusted me with awesome gifts. I am a steward of the sacred. I have received the natural gift of life and the supernatural gift of eternal life. I receive the Body and Blood of your Son in the Eucharist and your mercy in Reconciliation. Do not let me cast these gifts away but guide me to use them as I journey on the narrow path to you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Bringing the Sermon to a Close with the Golden Rule: In Matthew 7, Jesus begins to conclude the Sermon on the Mount with a series of insights into how we should live in the Kingdom of God. The Gospel Jesus preached, and the Kingdom he established, are holy and like pearls entrusted to us. Jesus commands us not to misuse or waste these gifts. We should not profane what is sacred. Jesus summarizes his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount with the golden rule: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” Ultimately, what we desire is love – to be in a loving relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. We want God and others to be merciful toward us, and so we are called to practice mercy. We want to be forgiven by God and by others, and so we are called to forgive. We want God and others to be truthful, faithful, and just, and so we are called to be truthful, faithful, and just. We want others to use their material wealth for the good of society and the poor, and so we are called to use our material goods properly.

2. The Narrow Gate: Human life is often presented in the Bible as a choice between two ways. For example, the story of Adam and Eve centered on a choice. They could choose to love and obey God and eat from the Tree of Life, or they could reject and disobey God and eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses placed before the People of Israel death and misery, life and happiness (Deuteronomy 30:1-5). He urged them to choose life! Jesus also uses the image of two different paths that lead to two different outcomes. There is a wide gate and road that many choose, which leads to destruction and death. There is also a narrow gate and road that few find, which leads to flourishing and life.

3. Walking the Way of Christ: The narrow gate and path are not merely a set of rules; they are the person of Jesus Christ himself: He is the Way. To enter through the narrow gate and to walk on the path that leads there is to embrace the way of discipleship revealed in the Sermon on the Mount. It means choosing humility over pride, forgiveness over resentment, generosity over selfishness, and trust in God over anxiety. The broad road is attractive because it requires little sacrifice and allows us to follow our own desires of pleasure, possessions, and power. The narrow way, however, calls for conversion and perseverance in self-denial, renunciation, and humility. It is the path that leads to true freedom, for it conforms us to Christ and prepares us for communion with God. Every day presents countless opportunities to choose between these two ways. By God’s grace, each act of faith, hope, and charity becomes another step along the road that leads to life.

 

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13–14

Is fear helpful? That depends. It depends upon which form of fear we are speaking of. First, there is a form of fear that is contrary to faith. It’s a fear that leads us to doubt and even despair. It’s a fear that results from the attack of the evil one and others who may sin against us. This form of fear is unhealthy and must be overcome through a faith that turns to our Lord with the utmost confidence and hope.

But there is also a holy fear that is most useful and one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Recall the Proverb that says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 9:10). At a minimal level, this holy fear makes you aware of your sins and the consequences of those sins, especially serious sin. And this holy fear leads you to fear the punishment that results from sin, leading you to avoid serious sin. But the ideal form of “fear of the Lord” we must strive for is “filial fear,” which is the holy fear of a son or daughter of God. This fear is one that is grounded in a profound love of God and leaves you so filled with a wonder and awe of the glory, goodness and majesty of God that you are filled with a desire to please Him and give Him great glory with your life. Thus, this “fear” leads you to a desire to avoid even the smallest of sin, because, in your love of God, you not only want to avoid offending Him, you also want to honor Him to the greatest extent possible.

The Scripture passage above should lead us to, at a minimum, a fear of not entering the gate to the “road that leads to life.” It is useful to consider Jesus’ teaching in a very straightforward way. Jesus essentially says that it is quite easy to walk through the gate that is “wide” and down the road that is “broad” in this life. In other words, it’s exceptionally easy to embrace a life of sin and head toward “destruction.” Jesus further says that those who walk through this wide gate and down this broad road are “many.” This fact should be the cause of our honest daily examination. If this broad road is so easy, then we should honestly admit that we can easily find ourselves walking it.

The “narrow gate” and the “constricted” road are found and walked by only a “few,” according to Jesus’ words. Again, we should take notice of this and take it seriously. Jesus would not say this if it were not true. Therefore, if the gift of the fear of the Lord is alive in your life, and if you truly are a son or daughter of God, then you will daily strive to be one of those “few” who find this narrow way to holiness. And, ideally, you will do so out of your love for God and your desire to give Him the greatest glory you can.

Reflect, today, upon this challenging teaching of our Lord. Take Him at His word and evaluate your life in light of this teaching. What are you doing in life to be certain that you are one of those few who have begun to walk through this narrow gate? Does your love for God leave you with such a wonder and awe of the greatness of God that your deepest desire is to not only please Him but to glorify Him fully with your actions? Strive to enter the narrow gate and the constricted road and do not turn back. Though this requires much determination, sacrifice and love, the goal and end of the road are worth it.

My most magnificent Lord, You and You alone are worthy of all glory, honor and praise. May everything I do in life lead to Your glory and may I avoid everything that harms my relationship with You. I love You, dear Lord. Help me to love You and glorify You with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Suy Niệm in Mừng Thứ Hai Tuần thứ 12 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm in Mừng Thứ Hai Tuần thứ 12 Thường Niên

Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu đã dậy chúng ta không nên phán xét bất cứ ai và chúng ta cũng chẳng có quyền xét đoán ai cả (ngoài chúa Giêsu là đấng thẩm phán nhân từ) bởi chúng ta không thể hiểu những gì đã và đang xảy ra cho người khác và chúng ta chẳng hiểu nổi những đau khổ riêng của họ. Hơn nữa chúng ta không có đủ những sự kiện bằng cớ để lên án người khác. 

            Chúa Giêsu đã nói một trong những lý do mà chúng ta thường làm hằng ngày là lên án người khác vì muốn tìm cách để dìm họ xuống và đưa mình lên cao hơn hơn ai hết. Trong khi chúng ta đang săm soi tập trung vào những thiếu sót nhỏ nhặt của người khác, mà chúng ta không nhìn ra cái sai, cái xấu của mình vì chúng ta đang bận rộn và tìm cách để che đậy những cái khuyết điểm nghiêm trọng của chính chúng ta; trong đó có những tội nói hành, nói xấu, nói sau lưng người khác đệ uy tín của họ.   Mặt khác, chúng ta thường không thích hay miễn cưỡng để khen thưởng hay khíck lệ hay đánh giá về một người nào đó một cách khách quan.

Hôm nay Chúa muốn chúng ta hãy chịu khó nhìn vào chính mình một trung thực hơn và không nên xét đoán, phê bình những người khác một ách tiêu cực, Bời vì chúng ta thường nghĩ tốt về mình và nghĩ xấu về người khác, thích khoe khoang về mình nhiều hơn là những gì chúng ta cần phải nghĩ đến về những người khác nữa.

Lạy Chúa xin giúp chúng con biết lắng nghe, và đừng bao giờ xét đoán người khác, biết khiến tốn mà không khoe khoang về chính mình và nghĩ tới sự thật, và biết tôn trọng những người khác.

 

Reflection Monday of 12th Week in Ordinary Time

There must be few of us to whom today’s Gospel does not apply. How many of us can say that we never sit in judgment on others, that we never speak disparagingly of others? Gossiping is one of our favorite pastimes and it is done mostly in the absence of those we criticize. We don’t have the courage to say things to a person's face. As Jesus says, we have no right to pass judgment on anyone because, so much of the time, we simply do not have all the facts nor can we enter into the mind of another person. And, as Jesus says, one of the reasons we knock people down is to lift ourselves up. While we are nitpicking focusing on the trivial failings of others, we are actually trying to cover up our own much more serious shortcomings — of which behind-the-back bitching of others is one. On the other hand, we are often very slow to offer an objective appraisal of another person when asked.   

Let us take an honest look at ourselves and reflect on the content of our conversations with others. It usually says a lot more about ourselves than what we think we are saying about others.

 

Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time 2026

“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3–5

It is easy to judge another. A certain satisfaction comes from it; otherwise, one would not engage in such an action. In fact, every sin we commit brings with it a certain degree of satisfaction. Of course, the satisfaction is purely emotional, passing, disordered, and ultimately very destructive to our souls.

A judgmental heart presumes the worst about another’s words or actions. The Catechism of the Catholic Church warns against rash judgment as an offense against truth (CCC 2477). We commit this sin when we assume, without sufficient evidence, the moral fault of another. This often manifests as gossip, detraction, or slander. While gossip may sometimes involve truth, it becomes sinful when it harms another’s reputation without a just cause. Detraction needlessly exposes another’s real faults, while slander distorts the truth and spreads falsehood. Each of these acts flows from a heart that finds disordered satisfaction in condemning rather than in mercy.

Every time we judge another unfairly—whether through interior criticism or public condemnation—we fall into this sin. To remedy this, we must examine our motivations. Sin is deceptive, especially to the one who commits it. The sin of judging another is particularly insidious because it often feels justified, even appearing as a moral obligation.

This was the sin of the scribes and Pharisees. They judged others, interpreting the Law of Moses through their rigid traditions rather than true righteousness. Their self-righteousness convinced them they were acting in God’s name. But they were blinded by pride, which not only harmed others but also endangered their souls.

A judgmental heart is difficult to overcome. Doing so requires shedding disordered feelings and hurts and turning to the light of God’s Wisdom. This will hurt because we must admit our sin. When another’s words or actions offend us, it is even harder to face our own sin first. Jesus makes it clear, however, that unless we first remove the “wooden beam” in our own eye, we cannot remove the “splinter” in another’s.

The only way to remove the wooden beam in our own eye is to grow in the virtue of mercy. We must love every sinner—especially those who have harmed us—to such a degree that every passion of our soul is transformed by mercy. With our minds, we must perceive and embrace God’s truth about mercy, and with our wills, we must choose it. Only when we do so over and over again—forming a habit, or virtue—will our passions align with mercy.

The good news—for us and for those we tend to judge—is that when the virtue of mercy permeates not only our minds and wills but also our feelings and passions, we begin to discover freedom from the disordered satisfaction that trapped us in our judgmental hearts. From there, enlightened by God’s wisdom and grace, we will be able to lovingly, compassionately, and sincerely help others see the error of their ways—not by judging and condemning them, but by loving them and guiding them toward the same freedom in Christ.

Reflect today on any sinful habits you struggle with, especially a judgmental heart. Do you ever feel justified in your judgment of others? Is there a degree of disordered satisfaction you gain from that sin? Humble yourself before God’s mercy if these questions challenge you, and don’t be afraid to acknowledge the wooden beam in your eye. Beg for freedom from a judgmental spirit and embrace the far greater gift of mercy. Though challenging, such an exercise is ultimately freeing and will enable you to assist those who need God’s mercy the most.

Most merciful God, I come before You and humbly acknowledge my struggle with a judgmental heart. When I am hurt or offended, I am tempted to lash out, condemn, and presume the worst of others. But You, O Lord, see all things with perfect wisdom and mercy. Please free me from this sin, purify my heart, and transform me into an instrument of Your love and compassion. May I judge no one apart from Your Truth and Justice, and may I always extend the mercy that I myself long to receive. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Reflection Monday of 12th Week in Ordinary Tim 2026

Opening Prayer: Lord God, help me to see myself with true humility. Help me to see my strengths and weaknesses. Help me to know how I have collaborated with your grace and when I have rejected your help.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Stop Judging: The Gospel continues our reading of the Sermon on the Mount. We are reading from the third part of the Sermon, which centers on “deeds of kindness” and our “social obligations” in the New Covenant (Matthew 6:19-7:12). There are two main teachings. We read the first teaching last week on Friday and Saturday, and that teaching was about our relationship to the goods of this world (Matthew 6:19-34). The second is found in today’s Gospel and concerns our relationship to other people. Just as we are not to dedicate our lives primarily to storing up earthly treasure, we are not to spend our lives judging others. We need to store up heavenly treasure with God and leave the judgment of the human heart to God the Father. 

2. The Generous and Attentive Eye: Both teachings are fleshed out with parables about the eye. The good eye correctly views the riches of this world and is a generous eye (Matthew 6:22). The bad eye or evil eye is one that looks at other people’s possessions with envy and covetousness and is miserly with one’s own possessions. The good eye, we learn today, is also an eye that can see clearly. It is not blocked by a wooden beam – an image of a massive fault – and is attentive enough to guide the gentle removal of a splinter – an image of a small fault – from our brother’s eye. Both teachings are followed by an exhortation to entrust ourselves to the care of the heavenly Father. Instead of being anxious about earthly goods, we are to be primarily concerned with God’s Kingdom and righteousness, confident that God will provide the food, drink, and clothing that we need. Instead of wasting our time judging others (Matthew 7:1-5) and focusing on what they do that annoys us, we are to turn to God in prayer and ask for what we need with the expectation that the Father will respond. Both teachings invite us to pray with confidence, because our heavenly Father is generous.

3. Beams and Splinters: One of the most important lessons from the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ admonition, “Stop judging!” How our lives would be different if we truly practiced this! Jesus is not inviting us to be naïve or to turn a blind eye to evil. But he ardently wants us to recognize that we are not God and are not omniscient. We can barely judge our own hearts; how then can we pretend to rightly and correctly judge the hearts and innermost intentions of our brothers and sisters? Jesus wants us to look first to ourselves and remove any wooden beams that prevent us from seeing clearly. Only then are we able to discern the splinter or eyelash – the symbol of a small fault or imperfection – in our brother’s eye. You have probably experienced how good it is to receive counsel from a wise and holy person. Their counsel is truly valuable. They can see clearly with eyes of faith and spirit-infused wisdom. And with them, we can discern the path forward, having removed both beams and splinters.

 

Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” Matthew 7:1–3

Sadly, this tendency is far more common than most of us would like to admit. We live in a world in which it is very common to condemn, criticize and judge. This growing secular tendency, in turn, powerfully influences our thinking and actions.

Why is it so easy to judge others? Why is it so easy to see the failures of others, dwell on their sin, point out their weaknesses and speak of their faults to others? Perhaps part of the reason is that many people are not at peace within their own souls. In an unfortunate way, condemning another brings with it a certain twisted satisfaction. But it’s a “satisfaction” that will never satisfy. The desire to condemn, criticize and judge will only grow all the stronger the more these actions are committed. If you struggle with these sins, then listen to the words of Jesus. “Stop judging…”

Oftentimes the person who judges others does not even realize they are judging. This is why our Lord poses the question, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” If that stings even a little bit, then know that our Lord asks that question of you. And He asks it with deep love for you, desiring that you will hear Him, understand, and respond. 

The truth is that being judgmental of others causes far more harm to the one who judges than to the one who is judged. Certainly being judged is not pleasant. But the act of being judged by others is not a sin. However, the act of judging others is a sin. And it can be a grave sin. This sin leaves the one who judges with an empty and angry heart. Love is lost in the soul who judges.

If these words seem unpleasant, that’s because they are. But sometimes we need to face the unpleasant truth in order to change. The Cross was unpleasant, but it was also the greatest act of love ever known. Facing our sin of judgmentalness is unpleasant, but doing so is the only way to be free. Honesty with ourselves is an act of love given to God, to ourselves and to those whom we need to stop judging.

Reflect, today, upon these challenging words from Jesus. Read the Scripture passage above a few times and then prayerfully ponder it. Use it as an examination of your own conscience. Try to be honest, humble and attentive to any ways that Jesus speaks this to you. Some will find that they have grave tendencies toward judgmentalness. Others will see less serious ways. But everyone who lacks complete perfection will find some ways in which they need to be more compassionate, merciful, forgiving and understanding of others. Be open to these truths and allow our Lord to lift the heavy burden of this sin from your own life.

My merciful Lord, You and You alone are the true Judge. Only You judge with mercy and justice. Give me the grace I need to abandon my own self-righteous judgmentalness so that I will be free to love You and to love others with my whole heart. Free me from the burden of these sins, dear Lord, so that I can more easily see Your goodness in others and rejoice in Your presence in their lives. Jesus, I trust in You.