Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Năm tuần thứ 7th Thường Niên.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Năm tuần thứ 7^th Thường Niên.
Có những người nghĩ rằng chúng ta phải lấy từng chữ trong Kinh Thánh và phải hiểu từng chữ đó theo nhu nghĩa đen của nó. Trong trường hợp đoạn Tin Mừng hôm nay, nếu phải hiểu theo nghĩa đen tuyệt đối thì đoạn tin mừng sau sẽ trở thành một mệnh lệnh đạo đức: “Ai làm cớ cho một trong những kẻ bé mọn đang tin đây phải sa ngã, thì thà buộc cối đá lớn vào cổ nó mà ném xuống biển còn hơn”.   Nhhư thế thì thái độ nào của những ai đây mà Chúa Giêsu đã tuyên bố những lời này, Nhân đức Thiêng liêng này  là mệnh lệnh?
            Trong vài thập kỷ qua, đã có một số người không thể chấp nhận được các trường hợp mà những người lạm dụng trẻ em, và trẻ vị thành niên, cho dù tình dục, hay thể chất, tâm lý hay xã hội-chính trị. Một số quốc gia đả soạn thảo một đạo luật nghiêm trọng đối và sự trừng phạt tội lạm dụng tình dục trẻ em này. Thế nhưng không ai đã gợi ra ý là những kẻ lạm dụng trẻ em này ít nhất cũng phải đem ra xử tử như những gì Chúa Giêsu đã đề nghị trong kinh thánh ?. Thế nhưng trên thực tế không quốc gia nào hay có người làm luật nào đã làm theo những điều Chúa nói trong Tin Mừng này.
            Điều này có nghĩa là chúng ta nên bỏ qua những lời giảng dạy của Chúa Giêsu? Trong một số những trường hợp như vậy, tốt nhất là chúng ta nên vâng theo lời Chúa Giêsu đã dạy, những không phải là theo cách mà Chúa đã nói (theo nghĩa đen), nhưng bằng cách lắng nghe và nhận ra sự nghiêm trọng của hành vi phạm tội mà Ngài đã nói trong tin mừng đó. Có rất nhiều trường hợp mà hành vi và thói quen của con người chúng ta không nên làm trong bất kỳ hoàn cảnh nào, mà coi thường, xem nhẹ hay đối phó với một cách hời hợt.
            Lạy Chúa xon ban cho chúng ta sự khôn ngoan và can đảm để sống theo sự thật và các giá trị của Chúa.
 
Thursday 7th in Ordinary Time
There are those who insist that we take every word of the Bible as literally true. In the case of the New Testament, that absolute literal truth would become a moral imperative: “It would be better if anyone who leads astray one of these simple believers were to be plunged into the sea with a great millstone fastened around his neck.” What then should be the attitude of such people to this statement, this virtual divine imperative?
            Over the past few decades, there have been an intolerable number of instances of people abusing little children and minors, whether sexually, physically, psychologically or socio-politically. Some countries are beginning to draft severe legislation for the punishment of the sexual abuse of children. Yet none has ever suggested that these abusers of little ones should ever be executed as Jesus seems to suggest. We do not, in fact, take this injunction literally.
            Does this mean that we ignore Jesus’ teaching? No. In such instances we best obey Jesus’ teaching, not by following his words literally but by listening to and recognizing the seriousness of the sinful behavior of which he speaks. There are many instances of human behavior that we should not, under any circumstances, take lightly or deal with leniently. Lord, grant us the wisdom and courage to live according to Your truth and Your values.
 
Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” Mark 9:42
St. Bede, an early Church Father, states that “he who is great, whatever he may suffer, departs not from the faith; but he who is little and weak in mind looks out for occasions of stumbling.” In other words, the “little ones” here could be understood to be those who are weak in faith and are constantly looking for reasons to depart from the faith.
Consider who might struggle with this tendency in your own life. Perhaps there is a family member who continually questions the practice of the faith, perhaps someone you know considers himself or herself a “fallen away Catholic.” According to St. Bede, these are the “little ones” of whom Jesus is speaking.
When dealing with someone who appears to lack faith, expresses doubts and disagreements, is caught in a life of manifest sin, or has begun to walk away from the practice of the faith, there can be a temptation to criticize, argue or condemn. If this is a temptation you struggle with, then listen closely to Jesus’ words: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin…” We cause those who are weak in faith to sin when we fail to show an abundance of virtue toward them during their struggles. Deep down, most people who are struggling with a life of sin or a weakness of faith do, in fact, have some faith. They do believe in God. But their faith is often easily shaken, and they can be easily pushed further away from God if we fail to exercise the necessary virtues of patience, compassion and mercy they need.
With that said, we also have to avoid offering a “compassion” that is not grounded in the truth. On this point, St. Gregory states: “If a stumbling block is laid before men in what concerns the truth, it is better to allow the offense to arise, than that the truth should be abandoned.” In other words, it is not compassionate or merciful to show support for another in their error so as to make them feel good. The truth of the Gospel must never be abandoned; instead, that truth must always be offered with the greatest of charity, especially toward those “little ones” who are weak in faith.
Reflect, today, upon the important balance that is necessary in the apostolic life. “Balance” does not mean compromise. Rather, it means that we seek to continually bring forth the full truth of the Gospel while also seeking to exercise the fullness of every virtue in the process. Do not become a stumbling block to others in the faith. Seek, instead, to lavish God’s grace and mercy upon those in your life who need it the most. If you do, then many of those little ones will one day become truly strong in the grace and truth of our loving God.
Most merciful Lord, You desire that all of Your children come to the full revelation of Your truth and mercy. Please use me as You choose to reach out to those who struggle with their faith and need to be treated with the utmost care. May I never be a stumbling block to them but always be a bridge to You and Your abundance of grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Thursday 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer: Lord God, do not let me be superficial as I contemplate how I use my time and the eternal destiny that awaits me. Teach me to take the final judgment seriously, knowing that all I have done and that every intention of my heart will be revealed.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Conversion of Heart: Jesus uses graphic language to try to convince his listeners of the importance of conversion of heart. He speaks of being thrown into the sea with a millstone and of cutting off the cause of sin, whether it be a hand, a foot, or an eye. These actions are not encouraged, but are used as comparisons to help us reflect on the difference between time and eternity. It is foolish to spend our time on earth solely seeking wealth, pleasure, and power. This is because this short life is little or nothing compared to eternal life. Enduring suffering patiently here on earth is worth it. Wealth, pleasure, and power are indeed attractive, but they do not fill the deepest desires of our hearts. Our hearts can only be filled truly by love – love for God and love for our neighbors, who are called to become our brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. Belonging to Christ: There is a stark contrast between belonging to Christ and not belonging to Christ. The First Reading, from the Letter of James, accuses the rich of having condemned and murdered the righteous one, Jesus Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus draws out the contrast between those who cause the simple of heart to sin and those who serve the poor. The latter, those who serve the poor, manifest that they belong to Christ. Both the rich who are indifferent to the poor and those who cause others to sin merit condemnation. The Psalmist says that in the afterlife, the rich who trusted in their wealth and not in God will never see the light. Jesus describes this netherworld as a place of unquenchable fire and compares it to the valley of Gehenna outside of Jerusalem, where the trash and refuse of the city burned continuously.
3. Redemption and the Sacraments: The Psalmist places his trust in God, knowing that in some way God will redeem him from the power of the netherworld. As Christians, we know that this redemption is accomplished through Jesus Christ, who conquered death and rose victorious from the grave. We share in his death and resurrection through the Sacraments, especially through the waters of Baptism and in the Eucharist – the life-giving Bread. The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. It is the mystery of redemptive suffering and heavenly glory that invites us continually to conform our lives not to the things of this world but to the holy things of God 
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to heed your words today and see where my life is headed. If I am on the wrong path, steer me in the right direction. If I am on the right path, strengthen my steps and fill me with the supernatural hope of attaining eternal life.
Living the Word of God: What is it in my life that is an obstacle to attaining eternal life? What threatens my eternal salvation? What can I do to protect myself from these threats and remove these obstacles? What actions, such as receiving the sacraments, lead me closer to life with God?
 
Thursday 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer:  Lord, you created me for eternity to live with you forever. You came to earth as my Redeemer and Savior to show me how to live. You are Truth. While there are many distractions and temptations in my world, I know that my true happiness lies in believing and trusting you in all that you teach and all that you ask of me. Accept this moment of prayer as an act of love for you and thanksgiving for your loving care of me.
Encountering Christ:
A Cup of Water:  Water is essential to life, but giving someone a cup of water seems like a little thing, virtually insignificant. For most of us, it is. We are blessed to have drinking water in abundance. For some, though, water is scarce and precious. Sharing a cup of water in such a circumstance is reminiscent of the poor widow who “offered her whole livelihood” (Luke 21:4). While we have an abundance of water, most of us do not feel we have an abundance of time. If we are asked to give up our time, it can feel like too big a sacrifice. Yet, just as the gift of a simple cup of water to someone in need ensures a reward, giving of our time in service pleases Our Lord and brings us blessings. 
A Stumbling Block: In Genesis 4:9, “God asked Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ He answered, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’” In the Gospel of Luke, the “scholar of the law...wished to justify himself and asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbor?’” (Luke 10:25, 29). Both passages indicate an unwillingness to be responsible for others. Just as we are called to generous service in the use of our time, we are called to serve others in the testimony of our lives. When we speak against or behave in ways contrary to the Church’s teaching, we can be stumbling blocks to others’ faith. And “an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil” is called “scandal”; further, “The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter” (CCC 2284). 
If Salt Has Lost Its Saltiness...: We are meant to encourage one another and to draw others to Christ through our witness and our words. What happens when our faith becomes lukewarm? We lose the positive influence we are meant to have on those around us, and we can gradually become desensitized to sin in our own lives. Faithfulness to Christ means being willing to sacrifice whatever it is that draws us away from him, and he emphasizes this through a series of hyperbolic statements. It is out of love that Jesus lets us know that “mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom...our freedom has the power to make choices for evil, with no turning back” (CCC 1861). 
Conversing with Christ: Oh my Jesus, loving my neighbor as myself is more than being nice or even kind. In today’s Gospel you show me just how seriously I need to take this element of living in union with you. You want me to live with you for all eternity, and you call me to desire eternal life for my brothers and sisters, the neighbors you have put in my path. Lord, help me see my life and actions through your eyes so that I am aware of how they can negatively impact others. May I accept responsibility for living as befits one who bears your name.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will identify one area in my life that does not provide an authentic witness of my Catholic faith and will develop a plan to grow closer to you in this area.
 
REFLECTION
     God is faithful. His love, compassion and mercy are limitless and unconditional, always available for us. He is always waiting for us to repent and to be reconciled to him.
     However, this does not mean that we can live our life any way we want, with no care for consequences and just hoping to repent at the last moment. As followers of Christ, God expects us to live each day, each hour, each moment, after that of Jesus and in accordance with his teachings and commandments. We are to love and serve God and neighbor, do good, bring peace, be compassionate, be like salt which brings flavor and life to those around us.  God wants us to always live Christ-like lives. He knows our weaknesses. He is always there to nspire and support us.
     In the Gospel reading Jesus warns us to avoid sin at all cost and to avoid what lead us to sin, even to losing our hand, foot or eye, indeed even to losing our life itself.   Jesus also warns us not to be occasions or helpers for others to sin, "If anyone should cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble and sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a great millstone around his neck."