Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy tuần 24th Thường Niên.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy tuần 24th Thường Niên.
Trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu đã cho chúng ta bài học mới về Nước Trời giống như một người gieo giống một hình ảnh mà dân Việt Nam chúng ta rất quen thuộc.
Hình ảnh người gieo giống hôm nay là người đem đến niềm hy vọng, đem sự sống mới cho thế giới. Khi người gieo giống gieo những hạt giống mới, ông ta vui mừng và hy vọng sau một vài tháng, những hạt giống này sẽ mọc lên thành cây và sẽ mang lại những hoa trái và họ sẽ được hưởng lợi sau mùa thu hoạch. Mặc dù ông ta biết rằng một số hạt giống ông đã gieo có thể sẽ bị chim tha mất, sẽ bị vướng trên nhữnh bụi gai và sẽ không phát triển được, nhưng ông vẫn tiếp tục gieo.
            Qua bài dụ ngôn này, chúng ta có thể nhận ra rằng chính Thiên Chúa là người gieo giống, Ngài gieo Lời của Ngài trong trái tim của chúng ta. Ngài cũng biết rằng Lời của Ngài cũng như những hạt giống bị rơi vương vãi, bị lạc mất trong những người tự coi mình là cái rốn của vũ trụ, hay những người chỉ biết đến sự những đam mê vật chất tiền tài và xác thịt... Cũng có một số người trong chúng ta đã khép chặt tâm hồn và từ chối nhận Lời của Thiên Chúa, Có những người khác cũng đã đón nhận Lời của Chúa một cách hời hợt, vì họ quá bận rộn với việc kiếm cơm nuôi gia đình và vì đó mà Lời của Chúa không còn chỗ trong tâm hồn của họ nữa.
            Nhưng, như những người nông dân gieo giống trên các đồng lúa, Thiên Chúa của chúng ta là Thiên Chúa của niềm hy vọng và niềm vui. Ngài biết rằng dù có những hạt lúa giống bị chim trời tha đi, có những hạt rơi vào bụi gai bên đường, hay bất cứ nơi nào nhưng Ngài biết rằng cũng có những người đã nghe và sống thực hành Lời của Ngài, đó là những "người biết suy ngẫm về Lời của Chúa ngày và đêm" và làm cho Lời Chúa hoàn toàn sống trong cuộc sống của họ và trong cuộc sống của những người khác.
            Còn chúng ta, chúng ta là những loại đất nào trong cánh đồng mà Chúa đã và đang gieo những hạt giống của Ngài? Để đón nhận Lời Chúa dành cho chúng ta, Chúng ta hãy nâng tâm hồn và cất lên tiếng hát và hát thật chân thành bài hát: "Ôi lạy Chúa, Lời Chúa hằng sống của con, xin hãy để Lời Chúa đâm rễ thật sâu ngay trong con người chúng con, trong trái tim của chúng con. Ôi Lời Chúa của chúng con, Xin Chúa hãy khoả lấp đầy tâm trí của chúng con.
 
REFLECTION
A sower is a man of hope, a man of life. As he sows, he rejoices that one day those seeds will sprout up to yield a harvest. Even though he knows that some seeds that he sows will be lost — will not grow, he still continues to sow. In this parable of the sower, we realize that the sower is God Himself, who sows His Word in our hearts. He too knows that the Word will be lost in those who are chocked up with problems, tensions, self-centeredness, consumerism and materialism. He knows that some hearts are shut and refuse to receive the Word of God. There are others too, who are so busy making money, so busy trying to gain prestige, power and recognition that the Word of God gets crowded out. But, like every sower, our God is a God of hope and joy.
He knows that there are also people who listen attentively to His Word, “who ponder on His Word day and night” and make God’s Word fully alive in their lives and in the lives of others. And what of us? Let us sincerely sing/say:  “O, the Word of my Lord, deep within my being. O, the Word of my Lord, You have filled my mind.”
 
Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time 2026
When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” Luke 8:4–8
God always takes the initiative in our lives. We do not need to persuade Him to care for us or to extend His grace—He already does. Our relationship with Him is one of response: He sows, and we are called to receive. We say “Yes” to Him, allowing His will to take root in our lives. At the heart of His divine will is the call to hear and embrace His Word.
Today’s Gospel presents one of Jesus’ most familiar parables, rich in meaning and imagery for prayer. God is the Divine Sower, and the seed is His Word. That Word is not merely a message or set of teachings—it is the Person of Christ Himself, the Incarnate Word of God. This is one of the great mysteries of our faith. Christ is sown into the hearts of the faithful. We are not invited to solve this mystery but to receive it, enter it, ponder it, and allow it to transform us.
To enter more deeply into this mystery, imagine God the Father sowing the seed of His Son into the soil of your soul. Once we understand that Christ Himself is the Divine Seed, it becomes clear that Christianity is not merely about following a moral code or ethical system. Rather, it is about being interiorly transformed by Christ’s living presence. He is planted in us by grace, takes root in our souls, and grows, bearing spiritual fruit.
This parable also challenges us to examine the condition of our hearts. Are we hardened like the path, distracted like the rocky ground, or choked by worldly concerns like the soil filled with thorns? Or are we striving to be rich, tilled soil—open, receptive, and ready to nurture the life of Christ within?
If we extend the parable further and consider the entire field, it is consoling and inspiring to recognize the countless other souls with rich soil who also receive the living Word of God and in whom He grows and bears fruit. As members of the Body of Christ, we are not alone. We are part of a vast field, tilled and watered by divine grace.  And yet, there remains so much more to be done. Many hearts have not yet received Christ. Many remain hardened, distracted, or choked by the anxieties and pleasures of life. By receiving the Word of God and bearing fruit ourselves, we also produce seeds—seeds of the Incarnate Word meant to be sown into the lives of others. The Divine Sower desires to extend His mission through us until the end of the age.
Though this parable primarily focuses on the condition of our own hearts, we can also discern in it the urgency of the Gospel mission. The Divine Sower seeks laborers who will help sow the Word far and wide, expanding the field of the Church and multiplying its fruit.
Reflect today on the high ideals set forth in the Parable of the Sower. Move from concept to reality. This parable is not only meant to inspire, it is meant to prompt action. First, open your heart to Christ the Word through daily prayer, participation in the Sacraments, and works of charity. Then, become a co-worker with Christ. In what ways can you assist the Divine Sower? To whom can you be an instrument of the Word of God? Be receptive to His grace and resolute in your mission, that the Field of God’s Kingdom may continue to grow and flourish.
My Divine Sower and Eternal Word, You urgently desire that all people come to know You by forming hearts of fertile soil, receptive to Your saving Word. Please till the soil of my heart. Remove every weed of sin, every rock of resistance, and every thorn of worldly care. Enrich me with the grace I need so that Your Word may take deep root and bear abundant fruit. Make me also an instrument of Your divine work, sowing the seeds of Your Word in the hearts of others. Through me, may the mission of the Church flourish and Your Kingdom be extended to the ends of the earth. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Reflection: Saturday 24th Ordinary Time 2026
Opening Prayer: Lord God, give me all the nourishment and grace I need to bear abundant fruit for your divine kingdom. Pour out your Spirit into my heart. Soften the parts of my heart that are like the hardened path. Clear the rocks from the soil of my heart. Uproot the thorns that choke your Word.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Luke’s Parable of the Sower: The Parable of the Sower is found in all three Synoptic Gospels. Matthew and Mark present the parable in very similar ways, while Luke includes several details that emphasize themes important throughout his Gospel. First, Luke says that the seed falling on the path was not only eaten by the birds but also trampled upon (Luke 8:5). The image suggests the vulnerability of God’s Word when it encounters a hardened heart. Those who hear the Word but fail to receive it become susceptible to the devil, who seeks to remove it before it can take root. A heart closed to God's Word eventually becomes unable to receive the life and salvation that the Word offers. Second, Luke says that the seed on the rock withered because it lacked moisture (Luke 8:6). The plant may spring up quickly, but without the nourishment necessary for its roots to grow deeply, it cannot survive the heat. Spiritual life likewise requires more than an initial response to God’s Word. We need the continual nourishment of God’s grace if our faith is to take deep root and endure trials. Finally, Luke does not distinguish between different degrees of fruitfulness in the good soil. Those who hear the Word with a generous and good heart bear fruit a hundredfold (Luke 8:8). The Lord is not merely seeking a superficial response from us. He desires to transform our lives so completely that his Word produces an abundant harvest.
2. Hearing the Word and Being Saved: Luke’s explanation of the parable adds several important details. Concerning the seed on the path, he says that the devil takes the Word from their hearts “so that they may not believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12). This language reflects one of Luke's central themes: Jesus is the Savior, and his Word brings the salvation God offers to the whole human race. The devil therefore seeks to prevent us from receiving the Word because the Word leads us to faith, and faith leads us to salvation. The battle for our souls begins, in part, with whether we will listen to God's voice and allow his Word to take root within us. Luke also describes the good soil as those who hear the Word with a generous and good heart (Luke 8:15). This is particularly significant in a Gospel that repeatedly warns about the dangers of wealth and attachment to possessions. A generous heart is not cluttered with an excessive attachment to earthly things. It remains free to receive God's gifts and to give those gifts away in love. Most importantly, Luke says that these disciples bear fruit through patient perseverance. Spiritual fruitfulness is not produced by a single emotional response or moment of conversion. The seed needs time to grow, and so does the life of grace within us. We must continually receive God's Word, cooperate with his grace, and persevere through seasons of difficulty. The Christian life is a long obedience in which God's grace gradually transforms us into the image of Christ.
3. Bearing Fruit for the Kingdom: Jesus does not tell this parable merely so that we can identify which type of soil describes us. He tells it so that we will allow him to transform the soil of our hearts. At different moments in our lives, we may recognize all three obstacles within ourselves. Sometimes our hearts become hardened, and God’s Word barely penetrates. Sometimes our faith remains shallow, and we fall away when difficulties arise. Sometimes the anxieties, pleasures, riches, and desires of this world grow like thorns and prevent God’s Word from becoming fruitful. Yet the parable ultimately points us toward hope. The Lord is the divine Sower, and he generously scatters his seed. He does not withhold his Word from us because our hearts are imperfect. Instead, he continually invites us to receive it more deeply. Our task is to cooperate with his grace: to allow him to break open what is hardened, deepen what is shallow, and remove what competes with his Word. Then the Word can take root, grow, and bear fruit. The fruit God desires is not merely external success. It is a transformed life: faith that endures, hope that perseveres, charity that gives itself away, and holiness that becomes visible in our words and actions. When we allow God’s Word to take root in us, our lives can become fertile ground through which Christ’s life bears fruit for others.
 
Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your word. I believe that this word is “living and effective” (Hebrews 4:12). Help it penetrate my heart, take root, and grow into a fruitful harvest for your glory.
Encountering Christ:
1. Gifts of Knowledge and Understanding: Jesus spoke in parables because, although his disciples had been granted the gifts of knowledge and understanding, the rest of the people who gathered to hear him had not. Most people needed to hear the truths of the Gospel in parables to better understand Jesus’s meaning. He did not intend to hide the mysteries of God’s kingdom from the people; rather, he spoke to them using stories to which they could relate. We can pray to the Holy Spirit, asking him to grant us the gifts of knowledge and understanding so that the words of Scripture can deeply penetrate our minds. In this way, God cultivates the good soil of our hearts so that we can bear fruit.
2. Trampled, Parched, and Choked: Have you ever felt trampled, parched, and choked? Weighted down by sin? Parched for spiritual nourishment? Choked by distractions or anxieties? Most people have had these experiences from time to time and in different seasons of their lives. The answer to a weary, tired, trampled body, mind, or spirit is to rest in the Lord—to allow his healing presence to soak in and renew us. One of the best remedies for our soul-weariness is time spent in quiet contemplation before the tabernacle. “There is no doubt that a flood of graces will descend upon your family and the world if more souls would become pupils of the Eucharist” (St. John XXIII).
3. Rich Soil: Our Lord tells us, “But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” We can’t obtain the “rich soil” Jesus speaks of on our own. We do our part when we clear out the large boulders (habitual sins) through the sacrament of reconciliation, till the soil of our souls by making the sacrifices necessary to conform our lives to the Ten Commandments and the beatitudes, and fertilize and water the soil by regular meditation on the word. In the midst of our gardening, we rely on Jesus to empower us with generosity and perseverance. Only by his grace will we bear lasting fruit.   
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, when I have sinned, help me to repent and “create a clean heart in me” (Psalms 51:12). When I get distracted from my heavenly focus, please remind me of my upward calling (see Philippians 3:14). When I feel weary, please remind me that your “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When I am anxious, bless me with the grace to trust in you and rely not on my understanding (see Proverbs 3:5). Shepherd me beyond my failures and faults and use my experiences to cultivate good soil in my heart so that I can be your fruitful servant. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will set aside time to rest in you, before the tabernacle if possible, and cast aside all my cares, trusting in you and your providence.
 
 
Reflection:
     Jesus was a great story-teller; he made use of the common life of the people, "You have been granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to others it is given in the form of stories, or parables, so that seeing they may not perceive and hearing they may not understand." 
     The parable of the sower and the seed tells us how the word of God is received by people, comparing the reception and response of people to the way seeds sown on various soils and environments prospered or died.
     Obviously all of us wish to be like the seed which fell on good soil, grew and produced fruit a hundred-fold. Our Lord explained that "the good soil are people who receive the word and keep it in a gentle and generous mind, and persevering patiently, they bear fruit."
     Are we people like those who our Lord said bore good and plentiful fruit?
     Or are we people, like the wayside, who do not even have the patience to listen to God's word or like rocky ground "who receive the word . . .  but they have no root, they believe for a while and give way in time of trial" or, like among thorns, "who hear the word but as they go their way, are choked by worries, riches, and the pleasures of life; they bring no fruit to maturity." 
We hear God's word in many ways: in Church and at various talks and gatherings, in our own reading and study of the Scriptures, in private prayer and through the Spirit in the silence of our own hearts, in our dealings with and from the example of others. May we hear it, cherish it and live it with patience and perseverance. 
 

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu tuần thứ 24 Thường niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu tuần thứ 24 Thường niên
Lạy Chúa, chúng con cảm ơn Chúa đã dạy chúng con về Tin Mừng Nước Trời. Chúng con cảm ơn Chúa đã chữa lành tâm hồn và thân xác cho chúng con. Chúng con cảm ơn Chúa đã cứu chúng con qua cái chết thảm thươngcủa Chúa trên Thập giá. Xin Chúa giúp chúng con biết mở rộng lòng chúng con để  lắng nghe lời Chúa và đón những gì Chúa đang dạy chúng con trong cuộc gặp gỡ chiều nay với Chúa.
Thưa quý ông bà và anh chị em, Qua bài tin mừng hôm nay. Chúng ta đã sẵn sàng phục vụ Chúa Giêsu và hỗ trợ công việc loan truyền Tin Mừng cứu rỗi bằng nguồn lực cá nhân riêng của chúng ta không? Trong ba năm rao giảng Tin Mừng, Chúa Giêsu đã đi khắp nơi. Qua các bài Tin Mừng chúng ta nhận thấy cùng đi với Chúa Giêsu và mười hai tông đồ, còn có các phụ nữ đi theo. Họ là một nhóm phụ nữ đa dạng; một số đến từ các gia đình giàu có và nổi tiếng; một số người đã từng là gái mại dâm, tội lỗi và những người khác là những người bệnh hoạn tinh thần và thể chất.
Trong số này chúng ta thấy có bà Maria Mac đa len người đã có một cuộc sống rất khó khăn về tinh thần cũng như thể xác trước khi Chúa Giêsu chữa lành cho bà ta khỏi bịnh bị quỷ ám. Bà là người đã có được cái đặc ân là nhìn thấy Chúa Giêsu Phục sinh đầu tiên. Bà Joanna, vợ của quan tài chính trong đền  vua Hêrôđê, Bà là một tiểu thư giàu có của triều đình. Không chắc hai người này đã từng gặp nhau trước khi biết đến Chúa. Nhưng điều gì đã đưa họ đến với nhau và đoàn kết thân thiết với nhau trong tình bạn, trong sự phục vụ và cùng một lòng trung thành với Chúa Giêsu?
Chính Chúa Giêsu và lời rao giảng của Ngài về Nước Trời  đã biến đổi tâm hồn và con người của những người phụ nữ này. Không giống như các Tông đồ, những người rất tự hào khi được chọn trong số mười hai Tông đồ, những người phụ nữ này không mơ ước tìm kiếm địa vị hoặc đòi hỏi những đặc quyền đặc biệt. Chúa Giê-su đã biến đổi cuộc đời và lối sống của họ, khiến họ cảm động sâu đậm với tình yêu mà Chúa dành cho họ đến nỗi họ biết ơn và sẵn sàng làm bất cứ điều gì cho ngài, ngay cả những công việc thường ngày. Họ mang quà tặng và tiền của đến dâng cúng cho Chúa Giêsu, để Chúa có phương tiện sinh hoạt và tiếp tục rao giảng Tin Mừng Nước Trời.
Có lẽ chúng ta đã sống theo bản chất con người giống như các tông đồ của Chúa khi xưa, chúng ta chỉ biết quan tâm đến địa vị của mình hơn là chúng ta giống như những người phụ nữ này bằng lòng phục vụ Chúa Giêsu một cách vô vị lợi, lặng lẽ và quảng đại với tiển của riêng của họ.Trong trạng thái sa ngã, với khuynh hướng tự nhiên của con người, chúng ta muốn được phục vụ và muốn được đặt lên hàng đầu, chúng ta sống ích kỷ vì không sẵn lòng cống hiến những gì chúng ta sẵn có để phục vụ người khác. Chúng ta có biết rằng, ai là người thực sự muốn dùng thân phận thấp hèn của mình như một người tôi tớ hèn hạ và chỉ biết đặt nhu cầu của người khác lên trên cái nhu cầu của chính  mình?
Thưa quý ông bà và anh chị em, Chỉ có Chúa Giêsu mới là mẫu gương tốt nhất của chúng ta, Tin mừng Thánh Mathêu có viết: Ngài là Đấng “đến không phải để được phục vụ nhưng để phục vụ và hiến mạng sống mình làm giá chuộc” cho chúng ta (Mt 20:28). Bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, tôn vinh những người phụ nữ đã noi gương Chúa Giêsu sống trong tình yêu hy sinh, quên mình trong sự khiêm tốn và phục vụ như Chúa Kitô.
Qua phép rửa tội, chúng ta có được cái đặc ân là con cái của Thiên Chúa  và là môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu vì thế chúng ta cũng phải nên bắt chước Chúa là chúng ta phải phục vụ như Chúa Giê-su đã phục vụ với lòng khiêm tốn, phải biết yêu thương vị tha, quảng đại, vui vẻ và sẵn sàng làm bất cứ điều gì Thiên Chúa muốn chúng ta làm.  Còn Thiên Chúa, Ngài sẽ ban cho chúng ta tất cả những ân sủng và những năng khiếu riêng mà chúng ta cần để thực hiện những nghĩa vụ và sứ mệnh của chúng ta.
Thiên Chúa trong quyền năng vô hạn của Ngài, Ngài  không cần ai cả, Ngài có thề làm mọi thứ, nhưng với sự khôn ngoan và tình yêu thương vô hạn  Ngài đã dành cho chúng ta, Ngài muốn chọn và giao phó công việc của Ngài cho mỗi người chúng ta cách này hay cách khác. Chúa Thánh Thần của Ngài sẽ trang bị cho chúng ta tất cả những gì chúng ta cần để chúng ta biết yêu thương và phục vụ người khác. Không ai là người không quan trọng hoặc không cần thiết trong chương trình cứa rỗi của Thiên Chúa. Ít nhất trong Nước Chúa chúng ta tìm thấy một ngôi nhà và một sứ mệnh ở bên cạnh Chúa Giêsu. Chúng ta có biết là, chúng ta sẽ có được một niềm vui vô tận  khi được phục vụ Chúa Giêsu cùng với những người xung quanh, những người biết yêu thương và sẵn lòng phục vụ Ngài không?
            Lạy Chúa Giê-su, chúng con muốn những người khác cùng trải nghiệm con gíng như con đã trải nghiệm con. Xin Chúa hãy cho chúng con có khả năng chúng con cần để chia sẻ với những người khác về cách Chúa đã hành xửc trong cuộc sống của xhúng con. Với sự yếu đuối và lòng chân thành , chúng con cầu mong là chúng con luôn có thể phục vụ Chúa và tha nhân để đáp lại tình yêu của Chúa đã dành cho chúng con.
Lạy Chúa, hôm nay nhờ ân sủng của Chúa, và noi gương thánh nữ Maria  Magdalene chúng con sẽ tìm cơ hội để nói xưng hô tên Chúa với những người chúng con gặp.
 
Friday 24^th Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: 
Dear Lord, thank you for teaching us. Thank you for healing us. Thank you for saving us. Help us to hear your word and open myself to what you are teaching us in this encounter with you. Are you ready to serve the Lord Jesus and to support the work of the Gospel with your personal resources? During his three years of public ministry Jesus traveled widely. The Gospel records that a band of women accompanied Jesus and the twelve apostles. This was a diverse group of women; some came from rich and prominent families; some had been prostitutes, and others had been afflicted with mental and physical infirmities.
The women who served Jesus out of their own resources
We know that Mary Magdalene had lived a very troubled life before Jesus freed her from seven demons. She was privileged to be the first to see Jesus as the risen Lord. Joanna, who was the wife of King Herod's chief financial officer, was a wealthy lady of the court. It's unlikely that these two would have ever met under other circumstances. What brought them together and united them in a bond of friendship, service, and loyalty to Jesus?
It was Jesus and his message of the kingdom of God that had transformed these women. Unlike the apostles, who took great pride in being the chosen twelve, these women did not seek position or demand special privileges. Jesus had touched them so deeply that they were grateful to do anything for him, even menial service. They brought their gifts and resources to Jesus to use as he saw fit.
Whose concerns do you put first - yours or others?
Are you more like the status-conscious apostles who were concerned for their position, or like the women who were content to serve Jesus quietly and generously with their personal resources? In our fallen state, our natural tendency is to want to be served and placed first and to avoid giving too much of ourselves to the service of others. And besides, who really prefers to take the lowly place of a servant who puts the needs of others before their own needs? Jesus is our best example who "came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom" for us (Matthew 20:28). The Gospel honors these women who imitated Jesus in his selfless sacrificial love and humble service.
Our privilege and joy is to serve the Lord Jesus
Our privilege as children of God and disciples of Jesus is to serve as Jesus served with humility, selfless love, generosity, joy, and a willingness to do whatever God asks of us. God, in his turn, gives us every good gift and grace we need to carry out our task and mission. God in his infinite power needs no one, but in his wisdom and love, he chooses to entrust his work through each one of us. His Holy Spirit equips us with all that we need to love and serve others. No one is unimportant or unnecessary in God's economy. The least in his kingdom find a home and a mission at Jesus' side. Do you know the joy of serving Jesus in company with others who love and serve him willingly?
Dear Jesus, I want others to experience you as I have experienced you. Grant me the fortitude I need to share with others how you have worked in my life. May I proclaim you with vulnerability and sincerity. May I always serve you out of a grateful response to your love.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will look for an opportunity to say your name aloud to someone I meet, in imitation of Mary Magdalene
 
Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time 2026+
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. Luke 8:1–3
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and “many others” faithfully accompanied Jesus and the Twelve. This diverse group of disciples defied conventional expectations. They were not the kind of followers one might ordinarily assemble when launching a mission destined to reach the ends of the earth. Yet God’s wisdom is not like our own. He perceives greatness not in social status, talent, or wealth, but in the sincerity, purity, and potential of each heart.
The inclusion of women among Jesus’ traveling companions is striking within the cultural framework of first-century Judaism. He not only welcomed them into His company but also entrusted them with meaningful participation in His mission. In doing so, He affirmed their dignity and revealed the universal scope of His call.
Even more surprising is that some of these women came from questionable or afflicted pasts. Mary Magdalene is named first: “from whom seven demons had gone out.” The number seven signifies completeness, suggesting a full and profound liberation—perhaps from both moral disorder and physical torment. Her healing reveals the immense power of divine mercy. Once bound by darkness, she became a devoted disciple, eventually standing at the foot of the Cross and witnessing the glory of the Resurrection. Her life exemplifies how gratitude for mercy can blossom into unwavering love and enduring fidelity.
Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, also deserves attention. Her association with Herod’s court—a place marked by corruption—shows that the Gospel can penetrate even into environments of great moral disorder. Susanna and the many unnamed women round out this community, highlighting a growing circle of female disciples drawn by the love and truth of Christ.
These women provided for Jesus and the Twelve “out of their resources.” Their generosity was not only material, it was spiritual. Their stewardship played a vital role in sustaining the mission of Christ. By offering what they had, they became instruments of grace, foreshadowing the ongoing collaboration in the Church between lay and ordained, men and women, rich and poor.
This early fellowship of followers models the Church in every age. They came from all walks of life: some devout, others formerly sinful; some wealthy, others of humble means; both men and women; people of high and low estate. Yet they were united in a single purpose: to follow Jesus and serve the Kingdom of God with all that they were.
Reflect today upon this unexpected company Jesus formed. Many people struggle with a sense of unworthiness or feel inadequate in their spiritual lives. If you have ever felt this way, take heart in the diverse group Christ called. Their varied and imperfect backgrounds reveal the deep and consoling truth that no one is beyond being called by God. Each of us, no matter our past or present, is invited to walk with Him, to offer what we have, and to participate fully in His redemptive mission. Accept this invitation. Join this holy company. And give yourself wholeheartedly to the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.
Most merciful Lord, You always look beyond the sin to see the sinner, offering Your boundless mercy to all who turn to You in repentance. Please continue to call me to participate in Your divine mission of building Your Kingdom here on earth, so that I and all whom You touch through me may share in the eternal joy of Your Heavenly Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 2026
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you call all people to accompany your Son and form part of the Church. Help me to know what my role is in the company of your Son. Enable me to place the gifts and talents you have given me at the service of the Gospel.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Mary of Magdala: Luke tells us that Jesus was accompanied not only by the Twelve as he journeyed through Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, but also by a group of women who had been healed by him and who “provided for them out of their resources” (Luke 8:3). Luke gives particular prominence to Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. Her name indicates that she came from Magdala, a prosperous town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The town was an important center of the fishing industry, with a large port and a thriving market. Whatever her economic circumstances may have been, Luke emphasizes something more important: Mary had received a profound gift of healing from Jesus, and she responded by becoming his disciple and using her resources to support his mission. Her gratitude became generosity. Mary’s discipleship would eventually take her to the foot of the Cross and to the tomb. She would become one of the first witnesses to the Resurrection and the first person sent by the risen Christ to announce the good news to the Apostles (John 20:11–18).
2. Joanna and Susanna: Luke also names Joanna and Susanna among the women who accompanied Jesus. Joanna was the wife of Chuza, a steward or household official of Herod Antipas. Her presence among Jesus’ followers is striking because it demonstrates that his disciples came from very different circumstances and social backgrounds. Joanna had also experienced the healing power of Jesus, and she responded by becoming his disciple and using her resources to support his ministry. She appears again at the empty tomb, where she and the other women announced the Resurrection to the Apostles (Luke 24:10). Susanna is mentioned only here in the New Testament, but Luke includes her name among those who accompanied Jesus and served his mission. Her brief appearance reminds us that not every disciple’s contribution is recorded in detail. Some served in ways known only to God. The Church’s tradition remembers Joanna and Susanna among the women who remained faithful to Jesus and served his mission. Their example challenges us to ask not how prominent our service is, but whether we are faithfully using what God has entrusted to us for the sake of his Kingdom. 
3. The Dignity and Mission of Women: The presence of these women among Jesus' disciples reveals something important about the dignity of women in the plan of salvation. Jesus did not treat women as passive spectators of his ministry. He welcomed them as disciples, allowed them to accompany him, received their service, taught them, and entrusted them with the proclamation of his Resurrection. Saint Pope John Paul II reflected on this distinctive relationship between Christ and women in his Letter to Women (June 29, 1995) and, more extensively, in the earlier Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem (August 15, 1988). He emphasized that Christ’s way of treating women demonstrates their dignity and their particular vocation within the Church and the world. In Christ, the woman discovers not merely a social role but the fullness of her personal dignity and a call to participate in God’s plan of salvation. The women in today’s Gospel demonstrate that participation in Christ's mission takes many forms. Some proclaim the Gospel publicly; others provide material support; others accompany Christ faithfully through suffering. None of these forms of discipleship is insignificant. Their example also reminds us that the Church’s mission is not the work of the clergy or Apostles alone. Every baptized person receives gifts that can be placed at the service of the Gospel. The question is not whether we have a role, but whether we are willing to receive the role God gives us and faithfully fulfill it. The women who accompanied Jesus teach us that gratitude should become service. They had received from Christ, and therefore they gave of themselves for Christ. Their discipleship culminated in the mystery of the Cross and the Resurrection, where women were among the first witnesses to the victory of Christ over death.
 
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for teaching me. Thank you for healing me. Thank you for saving me. Help me to hear your word and open myself to what you are teaching me in this encounter with you.
Encountering Christ:
1. Spreading the Good News: Jesus and the Twelve spent most of their time spreading the good news of the kingdom of God. They were outstanding witnesses to Jesus’s love. In our day, people who are truly Christ-followers, who are excited about their faith, also can’t help but draw people to Christ. We evangelize by living our lives in a principled, joyful, Christ-centered way. We help others encounter Christ by sharing our own experiences of having received Christ’s mercy. When we speak passionately about these things, we spread the good news and Jesus’s modern apostles.
2. Grateful Stewards: What a beautiful model of stewardship we see in the women who provided for Jesus and the Twelve. “Stewardship is the grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor” (Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Kansas). These women were not obligated to provide for the Twelve. They were not expecting anything in return for their stewardship. They gave of their resources out of love for Christ and love for the people that Christ was healing and saving. A grateful heart is a prerequisite for authentic stewardship.
3. Evangelizing Saint: St. Mary Magdalene was a grateful steward because she had been healed by Christ from seven demons and had been forgiven for her sins. Her love was so great that she bravely accompanied St. John and the Blessed Virgin Mary (see John 19:25) to the foot of the cross. Her fidelity was rewarded. She was given the title, “Apostle to the Apostles” as the first to witness the Resurrection. She told St. Peter and the others on that Easter morning, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18). May we imitate St. Mary Magdalene—the very first person to spread the good news of Christ’s Resurrection. 
 
Suy Niệm bài đọc Thứ Sáu Tuần 24 Thường Niện (Luke 8:1-3, 1Tm 6:2c-12)
         Trong bài đọc thứ Nhất hôm nay, Thánh Phaolô đã dạy dỗ và nhắn nhủ cho thánh Timôthê là nên cố tránh những sự cám dỗ vật chất và việc sử dụng tôn giáo như là "một phương tiện để đạt những sinh lợi riêng tư," nhưng phải biết sống trong "công lý, đức tin, sự tận tâm, yêu thương, sự kiên nhẫn và dịu dàng."
            Trong đoạn Tin Mừng hôm nay, những người phụ nữ đi theo Chúa Giêsu đã diễn tả cho chúng ta thấy rõ lời khuyên này của Thánh Phaolô, là họ đã tận tâm, trung thành và "lo lắng và giúp đỡ cho Chúa Giêsu và Nhóm Mười Hai tông đồ những nguồn tài nguyên của họ." Chúng ta có thể đọc một cách rõ ràng hơn là Họ đã theo cuộc hành trình (của họ) trong tình yêu của Chúa Kitô qua những thị trấn và làng mạc, đã chứng tỏ được sự hy sinh, kiên nhẫn, vui tươi với sự dịu dàng của họ khi họ gặp gỡ những người trên đường với Chúa Kitô.   Một điều rất ngạc nhiên và thú vị là Chúa Giêsu không những chỉ đón chào những người phụ nữ này, nhưng Ngài còn đặt các phụ nữ này vào hàng đầu trong việc loan truyền Tin Mừng cho tất cả những người khác. Những người phụ nữ này đã là những công cụ rất hữu hiệu để cải hoá được nhiều  người trở lại trong thời kỳ tiên khởi của Giáo Hội Thiên Chúa Giáo,  thời kỳ mà Giáo Hội đang phải chịu đau khổ vì sự bắt bớ, giam cầm và bị giết chết vì đạo.
            Chúng ta đã có Hội Thánh và tất cả,  Hãy cám ơn Chúa Giêsu Kitô người đã chấp nhận phụ nữ với quyền bình đẳng như nam giới trong cùng một Mầu Nhiệm Nhập Thể của Ngài, là Giáo Hội. Trong suốt lịch sử Giáo Hội, những người phụ nữ đã gặp những rất nhiều những khó khăn và phức tạp trong những nỗ lực sống đạo và truyền giáo cũa họ hơn nhiều so với nam giới họ đã chứng minh được tiềm năng của họ là không gì thua nam giới. Chúng ta hãy cầu nguyện cho Giáo Hội, không những chỉ duy trì mà còn tiếp tục tìm cách để nâng cao vai trò và giá trị của người phụ nữ trong cộng đồng Kitô hữu của chúng ta.
 
REFLECTION
            St. Paul is wrapping up his letter to Timothy by advising him to avoid the temptation of material things and using religion as "a means of gain," but instead "pursue righteousness, devotion faith, love, patience, and gentleness."
            The women who follow Jesus in today's Gospel passage illustrate this advice from St. Paul. They were devoted, faithful and "provided for Jesus and the Twelve out of their resources." We can read between the lines that they journeyed in love for Christ through towns and villages, obviously with patience and likely with gentleness to those they met. It is a pleasant surprise that Jesus not only welcomed women but also placed them in the forefront of proclaiming the Good News to all. Women have been instrumental in gaining converts for the early Christian Church, have suffered just as much as men as martyrs, and have been just as responsive to religious vocation.
            We have all these to thank in Jesus who accepted women as equals among men in His mystical Body, the Church. But as women have struggled probably much harder than men throughout history to demonstrate their equal potential, let us pray that the Church will not only sustain but also continue to find ways to improve the role of women in our Christian communities.