Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Tuần 1 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Tuần 1 Thường Niên (Mark 2:13-17)
 Những ràng buộc của chúng ta vào thế giới vật chất bởi vì chúng ta đang ở trong một thế giới tiêu dùng; chúng ta không có thời giờ cho người khác vì lối sống máy móc,với kỹ thuật tân tiến đã hủy hoại các mối quan hệ cá nhân của chúng ta với gia đình và những người khác. Những quy tắc đã trở nên quan trọng hơn con người; chúng ta không nhìn xuyên qua trái tim hay tình cảm mà chỉ biết nhìn bằng mắt thường. Chúng ta không nhận ra rằng các ràng buộc đấy sẽ dẫn đưa chúng ta đến hư không.
Lời Chúa có sức mạnh thâm nhập vào linh hồn và tâm hồn của chúng ta. Lời Chúa đánh giá những suy nghĩ và thái độ của tâm hồn con tim chúng ta. Lời Chúa kêu gọi sự suy nghĩ phán đoán của chúng ta như ông Lêvi (Mathêu) đáp lại lời kêu gọi của Chúa Giêsu. Ông ta lắng nghe Chúa Giêsu, tin vào những gì Chúa Giêsu nói và đi theo Chúa Giêsu không chút do dự. Phản ứng kịp thời của ông Lêvi đối với Lời Chúa đã khiến ông ta mời Chúa Giêsu dùng bữa cơm tối vớiông ta. Thiên Chúa phán xét chúng ta về cách chúng ta đáp lại lời Chúa, không phải về cách chúng ta làm sạch hay giữ vệ sinh bề ngoài, mà chính là sự giữ cho tâm hồn bên trong chúng ta được sạch sẽ.
Chỉ có Chúa mới có thể phán xét và tha thứ vì thế chúng ta không nên xét đoán người khác mà nên biết tha thứ. Chúa Giêsu, là Chúa, Ngài đã trở thành con người như chúng ta, Ngài biết mọi yếu điểm của chúng ta. Là con của Thiên Chúa, Ngài biết mọi nhu cầu vần thiết của chúng ta. Do đó, Ngài biết mọi thứ, kể cả những suy nghĩ và thái độ của chúng ta; không có gì mà có thể che giấu được khỏi tầm nhìn của Ngài. Ngài đã đến là để củng cố tâm hồn chúng ta nếu chúng ta tin tưởng vào Ngài, Ngài sẽ an ủi và dẫn đưa chúng ta nghỉ ngơi trong Ngài.
Lạy Chúa, xin giúp chúng con biết sống theo đức tin.  Xin giúp chúng con biết dùng lời nói và sự suy nghĩ của chúng con tìm thấy sự ưu ái trước tôn nhan Chúa.
 
Sat 19th Jan 2019 1st Week in Ordinary Time  Heb. 4:12-16;  Mk. 2:13-17
Our assumptions are worldly because we are in a consumerist world; we do not have time for others because a mechanical life style has ruined our personal relationships. Rules have become more important than human beings; we do not see through hearts but see through our naked eyes. We do not realize that assumptions lead us to nowhere.
The Word of God has the power to penetrate the soul and spirit. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. It calls for our response as Levi responded to Jesus’ call. He listened to Jesus, believed in what he said and followed him without hesitation. His prompt response to the Word of God led him to dine with Jesus. God judges us on how we respond, not on how we are outwardly clean, but inwardly clean.
A clear judgement can come only through Jesus our Lord. Jesus, who became human for us, knows our every weakness. As Son of God he knows our every need. Thus he knows everything of our thoughts and attitudes; nothing is hidden from his sight. He will strengthen us if we trust him alone. He will comfort us if we rest in him.
Dear Lord, help us to live by faith. Let our words and thoughts find favour before You.
 
Saturday of the First Week of Ordinary Time
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. Mark 2:14
How do you know the will of God for your life? In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola presented three ways in which we come to know the will of God. The first way is the clearest and most definitive way. It is a time in which the person experiences a “clarity beyond doubting” as a result of a special grace of God. In describing this experience, Saint Ignatius mentions the passage quoted above as an illustration of this experience.
There is little said about this call of Levi in the Gospel of Mark, which is also recorded in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 9:9). Levi, who is also known as Matthew, was going about his occupation of collecting taxes at his customs post. It appears that Jesus spoke only these two simple words to Levi: “Follow me.” As a result of these two words, Levi abandons his former life and becomes a follower of Jesus. Why would Levi do such a thing? What was it that convinced him to follow Jesus? Clearly there was much more than just a two-word invitation from Jesus that convinced him to respond.
That which convinced Levi was a special grace of God which produced within his soul a “clarity beyond doubting.” Somehow Levi just knew that God was calling him to abandon his former life and embrace this new life. There was no long discussion, no weighing of the pros and cons, no prolonged thinking about it. Levi just knew, and he responded.
Though this form of clarity in life is rare, it’s important to be aware of the fact that sometimes God does act this way. This is a great gift when it happens! And though this depth of instant clarity is not always the way God speaks to us, it’s important to acknowledge that God does speak to us this way at times.
Reflect, today, upon this call of Levi. Ponder this inner certitude he was given in that moment. Try to imagine what he experienced and what others may have thought of his choice to follow Jesus. Be open to this same grace; and if you ever feel as if God speaks to you with such clarity, be ready and willing to respond without hesitation.
My dear Lord, thank You for calling us all to follow You without hesitation. Thank You for the joy of being Your disciple. Give me the grace to always know Your will for my life and help me to respond to You with total abandonment and trust. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Saturday 1st Week in Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: Lord, you call me today to be a saint, to pass from the darkness of sin to the light of your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill my soul with your holiness and grace so that, like Levi, I can leave everything and follow you.
 Encountering the Word of God
 1. The Call of King Saul: Saul and his servants were having trouble finding the lost sheep of his father, Kish. When Saul learned that there was a seer – a prophet – in the nearby city, he decided to consult him about the sheep. It was revealed earlier to the prophet Samuel that he would encounter a man from the tribe of Benjamin who would be chosen by the Lord God to be the leader of his people. When Samuel saw Saul for the first time, the Lord confirmed that this was the man chosen to be the ruler of his people. Saul was tall and handsome and had many physical attributes and human qualities to be the king and political leader of Israel. He was a valiant and successful warrior and was even a prophet (1 Samuel 10-11). 
 2. The Defects of King Saul: At the same time, Saul had many serious defects. He was given to pride, arrogance, and disobedience. He was impatient and took upon himself the role of a priest and offered the sacrifice before battle (1 Samuel 13:8-9). He uttered a rash oath and curse that marred the victory of Israel and fell upon the head of his son, Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:24-46). Saul disobeyed Samuel’s command to utterly destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:1-22). For assuming the rights of the priesthood, Samuel lost his dynasty. For disobeying Samuel’s command, Samuel lost his kingship. Saul never manifested true repentance when he was confronted for his sins. His pride and arrogance led him to continually choose his own will over God’s will. He lied about the intention of his actions. Saul was a man who sinned and chose to remain in his sin rather than seek God’s mercy.
 3. Levi: The Public Sinner who became a Saint: In contrast to Saul, we have the tax collector, Levi, who can be identified as the future apostle Matthew. As an apostle, Levi was chosen to be a leader of God’s people and sit on a throne, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (see Luke 22:30). As a tax collector, Levi, is considered to be a public sinner. Levi leaves aside his sinful life and begins a new life with Christ. Unlike Saul, Levi does not fail in his mission. He remained united to the vine of Christ and was able to bear fruit for the kingdom of God.
 Conversing with Christ: Lord, you transformed the life of Levi. He was involved with the affairs of this world, yet had a heart open to your word. Many times I am like Levi, immersed in the things of this world, yet I long to hear your voice calling me to leave everything and follow you. Call me by name today, challenge me to follow you, and give me the strength to persevere on the path.
 Resolution: The question posed to us in today’s readings is this: Will we give in to our pride like Saul and fail to respond to God with love and seek forgiveness and mercy? Or will we allow Christ into our lives and allow him to heal us and lead us to the Father?
 
Saturday 1st Week in Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: Lord, please give me the grace to answer your call. Free me from any wrong thinking or constraint that may hinder me. Teach me humility. Make me keenly aware of my need for your healing and your mercy as I read these words today. 
Encountering Christ:
Calling All Sinners: Jesus’ fame is spread far and wide at this point in his ministry. He needed no one to help him succeed or make him more popular. We don’t know why he called Levi, the tax collector, to follow him, but by doing so, Jesus sent a powerful message to those of us who may feel unwelcome or unworthy to be Christians. Clearly, the Kingdom of God is open to anyone who accepts the invitation. 
Tax Collectors and Sinners: It is especially significant that Jesus “was at table in his (Levi’s) house.” Eating a meal with someone, whether accepting or offering hospitality, can be a sign of intimate friendship. We break bread with those we love or those whom we wish to know better. In his book A Meal with Jesus, author Tim Chester says, “His (Jesus’) mission strategy was a long meal, stretching into the evening. He did evangelism and discipleship around a table with some grilled fish, a loaf of bread, and a pitcher of wine.” Here, in this simple setting, Jesus was exercising his divine physicianship, showing his unconditional love for Matthew and his friends (Matthew 9:12). He has the same unchanging and perfect love for us.
Doctor, Doctor: Just in case the Pharisees or anyone else missed the point, Jesus drove it home with a clear analogy: People do not seek out medical care when they are well. It is when we are sick, injured, or infirm that we seek a doctor. Likewise, people who are full of their own righteousness are sometimes so intent on judging others that they do not always see their deep need for Christ’s healing in their lives. “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23). As sinners, we humbly acknowledge our sicknesses–our attachments–and leave the judgment of others to Christ. We seek with faith and hope our personal cure from the Divine Physician. 
Conversing with Christ: Jesus, how easily I can fall into the trap of judging other people. Please remind me that I will be judged the same way I judge others (Matthew 7:2). Soften my heart that I might look at my sinfulness with honesty and humbly come to you for the cure. Help me to look at the people in my life with love and mercy. I give you thanks for your love, grace, and mercy. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will pause before each meal to give praise and thanks for the food and drink you provide, also remembering your merciful love. 
 
Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy Tuần 1 Thường Niên (Mark 2:13-17 )
Bài đọc thứ nhất đã giới thiệu chúng ta về con người của Saul, người mà sẽ trở thành vị vua đầu tiên của Israel. Ông được mô tả là đẹp trai, cao ráo và là con của một người giàu có.  Người viết sách này dường như cảnh báo cho chúng ta nhận ra rằng những hồng ân, tài năng của con người không nhất thiết hay không đồng nghĩa với sự chấp thuận của Thiên Chúa và những năng khiếu Chúa ban cho này có thể là nguyên nhân của niềm tự hào, đâm ra kêu ngạo và rồi lại coi thường luật của Thiên Chúa. Lời nhắn nhủ rõ ràng: Không phải là dáng vóc bề ngoài mà Thiên Chúa ưng nhận, nhưng những chính là những gì ẩn chứa trong tâm hồn.
Điều này hiển nhiên rõ ràng trong quyết định của Chúa Giêsu trong việc chọn ông Lêvi (Mathêu) để làm một trong những môn đệ của Ngài. Điều này cho thấy Chúa Jêsus chọn những người có vóc dáng dễ nhìn bên ngoài, giản dị, thậm chí có cả những người có những nghề nghiệp "đáng xấu hổ theo Ngài. Lêvi là người bị những người Do Thái lên án, khinh rẻ vì là ông là người thu thuế, là tay sai cho người La Mã. Nghề nghiệp của ông đã kết tội chính  ông vì thâu thuế ông đã phạm tội phản quốc, phản dân tộc, và còn cả cái tội tham lam và tham nhũng, ..... Điều đáng kể là Chúa Jêsus đã đến nhà của ông và cùng ăn uống với ông và những người thu thuế và tội lỗi khác.
Bằng với cử chỉ trên,  trong cả hai bài đọc hôm nay chúng ta thấy Giáo Hội như muốn nhắc nhở chúng ta rằng Thiên Chúa không "nhìn" bề ngoài như con người đã làm. Thiên Chúa "nhìn thấy" rõ những cái gì đẹp  trong thâm tâm, trong tâm hồn chứ không phải chỉ là những dáng vẻ bên ngoài. Chúng ta hãy cầu nguyện xin Chúa ban cho chúng ta có được ân sủng là để 'thấy' những gì như Chúa 'thấy'.  Lạy Chúa, xin giúp con "được thấy" như Ngài thấy.
 
Sat 13th Jan 2018 - 1st Week in Ordinary Time
The first reading introduces the person of Saul, who later becomes the first king of Israel. He is described as being handsome, taller than most, and the son of a wealthy man. It is interesting that in the two Books of Samuel, there are others who are described as beautiful or handsome, or people of wealth: David, Bathsheba, Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah. More often than not, these people come to an unhappy or tragic end. The author of these Books seem to warn that such external gifts do not necessarily indicate divine approval and that these gifts can infact be a source of pride and disobedience to God’s law. The message is clear: It is not the externals that God approves, but what is in the heart.
This is clearly evident in the decision by Jesus in choosing Levi as one of his disciples. It indicated that Jesus chooses his followers from among those who are seen, externally, as simple and even those with 'disgraceful' occupations. Levi would have been held in contempt by his fellow Jews because as a tax collector, he cooperated with the Romans in exacting taxes for the emperor. His profession would clearly place him among the recognised ‘sinners’ of the Jewish people. Even more significant is that Jesus goes to Levi’s house to associate with other ‘sinners’. By this, the readings today remind us that God does not ‘see’ as human beings do. God ‘sees’ the ‘heart’ and not the externals. May we pray for the grace to ‘see’ as God ‘sees’. Lord, help me to ‘see’ as You see.