Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật thứ Hai Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật thứ Hai Thường Niên B
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta tự hỏi, Chúa Giêsu là ai đối với chúng ta? Thánh Gioan TG đã gọi Chúa Giêsu là Con Chiên của Thiên Chúa và danh xưng đó biểu hiệu cho sứ mệnh của Chúa Giêsu là Đấng cứu thế, cứu chuộc chúng ta khỏi tội lỗi. Theo sách Xuất hành chương 12, Máu của Chiên Con trong Lễ Vượt đã giải cứu dân Israel ra khỏi sự áp bức và nô lệ ở Ai Cập và khỏi bệnh dịch của sự chết. Trong thư thứ nhất gởi cho dân thành Corinto, Thánh Phaolô đã viết “Chúa Jêsus đã tự hiến mạng sống mình vì chúng ta trên thập giá như của lễ chuộc tội cho chúng ta “(1 Côr 5: 7). Máu mà Ngài đổ ra cho chúng ta trên thập giá đã tẩy sạch, chữa lành và giải phóng chúng ta khỏi sự nô lệ của tội lỗi, và "sự hủy diệt cả thể xác lẫn linh hồn trong địa ngục ”(Mt 10:28).
Nơi Chúa Giêsu, ông Gioan TG đã nhìn thấy sự hy sinh đích thực và duy nhất có thể giải thoát chúng ta khỏi ách nô lệ tội lỗi, sự chết và quyền lực của hoả ngục.Làm thế nào mà ông Gioan TG có thể biết được danh tính thật của Chúa Giêsu, là Con Thiên Chúa và là Đấng Cứu Rỗi của thế gian (Jn 1:29)? Chính Chúa Thánh Thần đã tỏ lộ cho ông Gioan TG biết rõ về bản chất chân thật của Chúa Giêsu, để ông làm chứng rằng đây là Con Thiên Chúa.
Còn chúng ta, làm sao chúng ta có thể chắc chắn rằng Chúa Giêsu thực sự là Đấng Kitô, Con Thiên Chúa hằng sống? Chúa Thánh Thần cũng soi sáng cho chúng ta được biết đến Chúa Giêsu Kytô qua ân sủng của đức tin. Thiên Chúa tự do ban cho chúng ta Chúa Thánh Thần để chúng ta có thể thấu hiểu với trí óc được soi sáng bằng con mắt đức tin, về sự mầu nhiệm và kế hoạch vĩ đại của Thiên Chúa trong sự hợp nhất mọi sự trong Con của Ngài, Chúa chúng ta là Đức Chúa Jêsus Kitô.
Trong sự khiêm tốn đặc trưng của mình, Ông Gioan TG đã háo hức hướng về Chúa Kitô, có nghĩa là Đấng được xức dầu và Đấng Cứu Thế. Ông không ngần ngại chỉ ra các môn đệ của mình đến với Chúa Giêsu. Và khi hai môn đệ của ông GioanTG bắt đầu tìm kiếm Chúa Giêsu, Chúa Giêsu đã chủ động mời họ vào đồng hành với ngài. Ngài không đợi họ thu hút sự chú ý của Ngài. Thay vào đó, Ngài đã gặp họ nửa đừơng. Ngài hỏi họ một trong những câu hỏi cơ bản nhất về cuộc sống: "các ngươi tìm gì?"
Chúa Giêsu cũng đang hỏi mỗi người chúng ta cùng một câu hỏi: "các ngươi đang tìm gì? Chúng ta có biết ý nghĩa và mục đích cho cuộc sống của mình không?" Chỉ có Thiên Chúa là Cha và là đấng tác tạo mọi sự sống, mới có thể trả lời câu hỏi đó và làm cho chúng ta biết rõ mục đích của chúng ta. Đó là lý do tại sao Chúa Jêsus mời gọi mỗi người chúng ta đến gần với chính Ngài. Chúa muốn chúng ta biết Ngài một cách cá nhân, thân thiết để chúng ta có thể biết những gì Ngài đã đến để làm cho chúng ta và những gì Ngài muốn ban cho chúng ta.
“Hãy đến và xem” đó là lời mời gọi của Chúa Giêsu dành cho mỗi người chúng ta để chúng ta khám phá ra được niềm vui của tình bạn và sự hiệp thông với Đấng đã làm cho chúng ta sống trong tình yêu. Thánh Augustinô nhắc nhở chúng ta rằng chính Thiên Chúa, Đấng Tạo Hóa và Đấng Cứu Chuộc của chúng ta, là Đấng tìm kiếm chúng ta, ngay cả những khi chúng ta không tìm kiếm Người: "Nếu anh chị em không được Chúa kêu gọi, thế thì anh chị em có thể làm gì để quay lại? Chẳng phải chính Đấng đã gọi anh chị em khi anh chị em chống đối Ngài đã khiến anh chị em có thể quay trở lại sao?" Chính Chúa là Đấng khởi xướng và là Đấng lôi kéo chúng ta đến với chính Ngài. Nếu không có sự thương xót và giúp đỡ của Chúa, chúng ta không thể tự mình tìm thấy Chúa. Khi chúng ta tìm thấy thứ gì đó có giá trị to lớn, điều tự nhiên là chúng ta muốn chia sẻ tin vui về khám phá của chúng ta với gia đình, bạn bè và hàng xóm.
Khi ông Andrê gặp được Chúa Giêsu và khám phá ra rằng Ngài đích thực là Đấng Cứu Thế, ông liền đến gặp anh của mình là ông Simon và báo tin mừng cho ông Simon. Ông Andrê đã đưa người anh em của mình đến gặp Chúa Giêsu để người anh em của mình có thể “đến xem” cho tận mắt. Khi Chúa Giêsu thấy ông Simon đến gần, Chúa Giêsu nhìn ông Simon và đặt cho ông một cái tên mới để chứng tỏ là Thiên Chúa đã kêu gọi ông và đã có sẵn cho ông một cái sứ mệnh riêng cho ông. Chúa Giêsu đặt cho ông Simon cái tên “Kêphas”, là tiếng A-ram có nghĩa là “đá”. Kephas được dịch là Peter theo tiếng Hy Lạp và cũng có nghĩa đen là "đá".Nhờ đức tin, ông Phêrô hiểu được rằng Chúa Giêsu thực sự là ai; Đấng được xức dầu, là Đấng Cúa Thế, là Chúa Kitô và là Con một của Thiên Chúa. Tân Ước mô tả Hội thánh như là một ngôi nhà hoặc đền thờ tâm linh với mỗi thành viên được ghép lại với nhau như những viên đá sống động (1 Ph 2: 5). Đức tin nơi Chúa Giêsu Kytô đã biến chúng ta thành những tảng đá hay những viên đá tâm linh.
Chúa Thánh Linh ban cho chúng ta những ân sủng của đức tin để chúng ta nhận biết Chúa Jêsus một cách thân mật, và ban cho chúng ta sức mạnh để trung thành sống theo phúc âm, và can đảm làm chứng cho lẽ thật và niềm vui của Tin Mừng cho người khác. Chúa Jêsus luôn sẵn sàng thu hút chúng ta đến với chính Ngài. Còn phần chúng ta, chúng ta có tìm cách để sống lớn lên trong sự hiểu biết và tình yêu thương của Chúa Giêsu Kytô không?
Lạy Chúa Giêsu Kitô, xin ban xuống cho chúng con sức mạnh của Chúa Thánh Thần để chúng con được lớn lên trong sự hiểu biết về tình yêu và lẽ thật cao cả của Chúa. Xin hãy làm cho ơn Chúa Thánh Thần rực cháy trong trái tim của chúng con để chúng con có thể vui vẻ tìm cách làm theo ý muốn của Chúa trong mọi việc.
 
Meditation: 
Who is Jesus for you? John calls Jesus the Lamb of God and thus signifies Jesus' mission as the One who redeems us from our sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) delivered the Israelites from their oppression in Egypt and from the plague of death. The Lord Jesus freely offered up his life for us on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood which he poured out for us on the cross cleanses, heals, and frees us from our slavery to sin, and from the "wages of sin which is death" (Romans 6:23) and the "destruction of both body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
It is significant that John was the son of the priest, Zachariah, who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). In Jesus John saw the true and only sacrifice which could deliver us from bondage to sin, death, and the powers of hell. How did John know the true identity of Jesus, as the Son of God and Savior of the world (John 1:29)? The Holy Spirit revealed to John Jesus' true nature, such that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us freely of his Spirit that we may comprehend - with enlightened minds and eyes of faith - the great mystery and plan of God to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
"What do you seek?"
John in his characteristic humility was eager to point beyond himself to the Christ (means Anointed One and Messiah). He did not hesitate to direct his own disciples to the Lord Jesus. When two of John's disciples began to seek Jesus out, Jesus took the initiative to invite them into his company. He did not wait for them to get his attention. Instead he met them halfway. He asked them one of the most fundamental questions of life: "What are you looking for?" Jesus asks each one of us the same question:"What are you searching for? Do you know the meaning and purpose for your life?" Only God, the Father and Author of life, can answer that question and make our purpose fully known to us. That is why the Lord Jesus invites each one of us to draw near to himself. He wants us to know him personally - to know what he came to do for us and what he wants to offer us.
"Come and see"
"Come and see" is the Lord's invitation for each one of us to discover the joy of friendship and communion with the One who made us in love for love. Saint Augustine of Hippo reminds us that it is God, our Creator and Redeemer, who seeks us out, even when we are not looking for him: "If you hadn't been called by God, what could you have done to turn back? Didn't the very One who called you when you were opposed to Him make it possible for you to turn back?" It is God who initiates and who draws us to himself. Without his mercy and help we could not find him on our own.
When we find something of great value it's natural to want to share the good news of our discovery with our family, friends, and neighbors. When Andrew met Jesus and discovered that he was truly the Messiah, he immediately went to his brother Simon and told him the good news. Andrew brought his brother to meet Jesus so he could "come and see" for himself. When Jesus saw Simon approaching he immediately reached out to Simon in the same way he had done for Andrew earlier. Jesus looked at Simon and revealed that he knew who Simon was and where he came from even before Simon had set his eyes on Jesus. Jesus gave Simon a new name which signified that God had a personal call and mission for him. Jesus gave Simon the name "Cephas" which is the Aramaic word for "rock". Cephas is translated as Peter (Petros in Greek and Petrus in Latin) which also literally means "rock".
To call someone a "rock" was one of the greatest compliments in the ancient world. The rabbis had a saying that when God saw Abraham, he exclaimed: "I have discovered a rock to found the world upon." Through Abraham God established a nation for himself. Through faith Peter grasped who Jesus truly was - the Anointed One (Messiah and Christ) and the only begotten Son of God. The New Testament describes the church as a spiritual house or temple with each member joined together as living stones (see 1 Peter 2:5). Faith in Jesus Christ makes us into rocks or spiritual stones. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of faith to know the Lord Jesus personally, power to live the gospel faithfully, and courage to witness the truth and joy of the Gospel to others. The Lord Jesus is ever ready to draw us to himself. Do you seek to grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Let your Spirit be aflame in my heart that I may joyfully seek to do your will in all things.
 
Sunday 2nd Week of Ordinary Time
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” — which is translated Christ —. Then he brought him to Jesus. John 1:40–42
Andrew was a follower of Saint John the Baptist until John directed him to Jesus. One day John saw Jesus walk by and pointed to Jesus, telling Andrew and another disciple, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples followed after Jesus. After spending the day with Jesus, Andrew was so impressed that the next day he excitedly went to find his brother, Simon Peter, to tell him about Jesus. As is mentioned in the passage above, he enthusiastically tells Peter, “We have found the Messiah.” Then, once Peter meets Jesus, Peter also becomes His disciple.
A similar experience occurs between the brothers Philip and Nathanael (see John 1:43–51). Jesus calls Philip to follow Him, and he does. After coming to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Philip goes to tell his brother Nathanael that he has found “the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets.” Nathanael believes and follows our Lord. Thus, a series of conversions began after John the Baptist gave testimony that Jesus was the “Lamb of God.”
Though we can be certain that Jesus did not need the testimony of John the Baptist to convert Andrew, nor the testimony of Andrew to convert Simon Peter, nor the testimony of Philip to convert Nathanael, this is how it happened. Jesus chose to use these three to bring about the conversion of others.
In God’s divine plan of salvation, He regularly uses the mediation of others to bring forth the conversion of hearts. We see this on many levels. First and foremost, He uses our Blessed Mother as the Mediatrix of Grace to bring forth His grace upon us all. She is the instrument and Jesus is the source. Through her mediation, there are other saints who act as intercessors. And there are countless angels who also act as distributors of God’s grace and mercy. God is the source of all but uses the heavenly hosts to bring forth His grace upon us all.
The same is true within our earthly existence. In addition to the numerous angels and saints who act as intercessors and mediators, God uses each one of us to bring about His Kingdom here and now in the lives of many. Every time we speak God’s words or witness to God through our actions, we become instruments of God’s mercy. And if we fully commit ourselves to the divine will, there are many who will be converted by God’s grace through us.
Reflect, today, upon the holy and sacred calling you have received to act as a mediator of God’s infinite grace and mercy. First, think about the many people God wants to touch through you. Also think about the fact that those people might never be drawn to God if you fail to act. God can do all things and touch many people in varied ways, but the fact remains that He does want to use you for His mission. Say “Yes” to that mission so that you, like many others, will share in the glorious calling of being an intercessor and a mediator of God’s grace.
Most glorious Lord, You are abundantly generous in Your grace and mercy and desire to bestow Your love on all people. Please use me for Your divine mission of evangelizing the world. I say “Yes” to You, dear Lord. Use me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Sunday 2nd Week of Ordinary Time 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have called me by name to enter into your holy dwelling. I do so during this time of prayer. I only want to be with you and learn your will for me. Help me to be faithful to your love and bring others to encounter you today.
 Encountering the Word of God
 1. Samuel’s Encounter with the Lord: The First Reading narrates Samuel’s encounter with the Lord in the sanctuary at Shiloh. Samuel heard God’s call and, prompted by Eli, invited God to speak to him. Samuel’s encounter with the Lord God in the sanctuary at Shiloh confirms the prophecy made to Eli by an unnamed prophet that his corrupt priestly line will fail and the priesthood will be given to a “faithful priest” (1 Samuel 2:35). This prophecy of a faithful priest is first fulfilled in Zadok but ultimately it looks forward to Jesus Christ, the faithful and merciful high priest. While Eli’s line served as priests in a moveable tent, Zadok’s line served as priests in a solid sanctuary. Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas were unfaithful and took advantage of their position. They were greedy and abusive. Samuel will prophesy the fall of both Eli the priest and Saul the king. While Eli has nothing to do with kings, Samuel understands that the future faithful priest will signal the advent of a new priestly and monarchical order, for the new priest ‘shall go in and out before my anointed one [‘my Messiah,’ ‘my Christ’] forever” (1 Samuel 2:35).
 2. Encounter with the Lamb of God: The Gospel narrates the encounter of two of John the Baptist’s disciples – Andrew and most likely John – with Jesus. They are eager to follow Jesus and see where Jesus dwells. Thus, there is a deep connection between the First Reading and the Gospel insofar as Samuel abides in the sanctuary at Shiloh, while John and Andrew abide with Jesus, the New Temple. Samuel will be called by God to bring the people of Israel to God and will appoint Saul and David as the first kings of Israel. Jesus, by contrast, is called by God to bring all nations to God and will appoint Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John as the leaders of the New Israel. In many ways, Samuel anticipates the figure of John the Baptist. Just as Samuel anointed David in Bethlehem as king, John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and identified him as the mighty one and the Lamb of God. Simon, Peter Andrew, and John will all be made priests of Jesus Christ. When John the Baptist points out the Lamb of God, he does not point to a physical lamb that is slaughtered in the Temple by the high priest. He points to Jesus who is the definitive and new Lamb of God. This points to the transformation of the Temple sacrifices. The liturgy of the Old Covenant – with its ineffective animal sacrifices – will be brought to fulfillment in the liturgy of the New Covenant – with the effective sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Andrew and Simon Peter, along with John the Apostle, will be consecrated by Jesus as his priests. In the New Covenant, the priesthood will no longer be restricted to the descendants of Aaron and the high priesthood will not be reserved to the descendants of Zadok. Priesthood in the New Covenant is connected to a call from Jesus and to abiding with Jesus. An Apostle is one who is called to be with Jesus and to be sent out. This is exemplified by Andrew, who spends an afternoon with Jesus, and then immediately goes out to find his brother, Simon, and lead him to Jesus. Simon is given a new Aramaic name “Cephas,” which means “rock.” With the other Apostles, Simon Peter will be a foundation for the Church of Jesus.
 3. We are Members of Christ’s Body: In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul contemplates the members of the Church as members of the Body of Christ and our bodies as Temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are not made for immorality and sin. We have been purchased and redeemed by the blood shed by the Lamb of God on the cross. Since we have been redeemed by the Lord, our bodies now belong to the Lord and, by faith, we know that the Lord God will raise us up. Therefore, we are not to sin with our bodies but are to give glory to God in our bodies. 
 Conversing with Christ: You are my God. I have seen how you called Samuel, Andrew, John, and Peter. You did not force them to follow you. No, you extended an invitation that they were free to accept or reject. And so, I stand before you today willing to follow you, ready to do your will and not my own. To do your will, O God, is my delight.
 Resolution: We glorify God through our following of Jesus, our abiding with him, and through the liturgy of the New Covenant. Christian liturgy is not only the celebration of divine worship, it is also the proclamation of the Good News of Salvation and the announcement of the active work of charity. We are called to serve both God and our neighbor. In the liturgy, the Church shares in Christ’s priesthood (worship), which is both prophetic (proclamation) and kingly (service of charity) (CCC, 1070). How will I worship God today by proclaiming the Gospel and by spreading Christ’s love?
 
Sunday 2nd Week of Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: 
Dear Jesus, I want to come and stay with you during this prayer. Help me to set aside distractions and worries so that I can hear your voice in my heart.
Encountering Christ:
1. What Are You Looking For? The questions God asks through the Bible are always penetrating and pertinent. Today, he asks us, “What are you looking for?” That is to say, when we approach Jesus, are we looking for a solution to a problem? Someone to blame? An answer? Consolation? Or, are we looking for a person? Do we approach prayer as a relationship? Time to be with someone whom we love and who loves us? If we want to know Jesus better, let’s imitate the disciples in this Gospel and stay with him. 
2. Where Are You Staying? The questions we ask God are also important. We shouldn’t be afraid to ask God questions, especially questions that can lead us into a deeper relationship with him, such as, “Where are you Lord? Where are you staying? Where do I find you time and again?” And we ask ourselves, “What aspects of Christ in the Gospel always stand out to me? What kind of needs do I feel called to respond to? Where do I experience God working through me for the good of others?” By seeking the answers to these questions, we discover Christ within us.
3. Come and See: In the day-to-day experience of prayer, it can be hard to see where God is leading us, but by looking back and seeing the patterns of his presence and love in our lives, we can grow in our recognition of his guidance. When the first apostles initially experienced Christ, they immediately invited others to come and see. The Christ that we experience is the Christ that we are called to transmit to others. By reflecting upon our own experiences of Christ’s loving presence in our lives, we become better apostles of his love for those around us.
Conversing with Christ: Lord, help me to enter into dialogue with you every day. I want to be able to hear your questions and also ask you mine. I want to know you better so that I can follow you more closely and bring others to do the same.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will take time to recognize your presence in my day.