Suy Niêm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 8 TN

Suy Niêm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ 8 TN (Mark 11:11-26)

Tin Mừng Hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu thấy một cây vả và tìm mãi không thấy một trái nào mà chỉ có lá mà thôi: và Ngài đã nguyền rủa nó. Các đã Tông Đồ, ngạc nhiên khi thấy cây vả đã chết khô rồi”(Mc 11:21).  Chúa Giêsu dạy cho họ bài học về đức tin và lời cầu nguyện: “"Hãy có lòng tin vào Thiên Chúa” (Mc 11:22).
            Trong cuộc sống hiện tại, có người cho rằng họ rất it khi cầu nguyện, và khi họ cầu nguyện, thì họ cầu nguyện với hy vọng là Thiên Chúa sẽ giải quyết mọi vấn đề của họ. Và họ biện minh bằng những lời của Chúa Giêsu mà chúng ta vừa nghe: “Bởi thế Ta, bảo các ngươi, mọi điều các ngươi cầu nguyện kêu xin, các ngươi hãy tin là được, và các ngươi sẽ thấy thành sự".(Mc 11:24). Lời biện hộ của họ rất đúng theo bản năng con người. Khi đứng trước một vấn đề quá khó khăn đối với chúng ta, chúng ta cần tin tưởng vào Thiên Chúa. Nhưng chúng ta cũng phải hiểu thêm rằng những lời cầu nguyện "vô dụng"  “vì Cha các ngươi biết rõ các ngươi cần gì, trước khi các ngươi xin Người.”(Mt 6: 8). Có những lúc chúng ta đã không nhận được những điều mà chúng ta đã cầu xin, bởi vì những gì chúng ta nhận được từ nơi Thiên Chúa đều là những ơn sũng và hồng ân của Thiên Chúa ban.       
            Bời vì thế mà chúng ta không cần cầu nguyện? Tất nhiên, chúng ta cần nên cầu nguyện: bởi vì chúng ta biết rằng vì lời cầu nguyện của chúng ta mà chúng ta có được ân sủng, lời cầu nguyện của chúng ta đã trở nên xứng đáng và có giá trị hơn. Hơn nữa, có những lợi ích mà chúng ta nhận được từ những lời cầu nguyện như tìm được sự bình an trong tâm hồn; biết suy nghĩ chính chắn, hiểu rỗ vấn đề để giải quyết, cầu nguyện giúp chúng ta phân biệt giữa những gì là tốt và những gì có thể là sở thích cá nhân, hay là những ý định thực sự của lời cầu nguyện của chúng ta. Và từ đó, chúng ta sẽ hiểu được bằng con mắt đức tin với những gì Chúa Giêsu nói: “Điều gì các ngươi xin nhân danh Ta, Ta sẽ làm, ngõ hầu Cha được tôn vinh nơi Con,” (Ga 14:13).
 
Comment
Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it
Today, fruit and prayer are the key words to this Gospel. The Lord notices a fig tree and finds nothing but leaves: and He reacts by cursing it. According to St. Isidore of Seville, “fig” and “fruit” have the same root. Early next morning the Apostles, surprised, tell him: «Master, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered» (Mk 11:21). In reply, Jesus Christ speaks to them of faith and prayer: «Have faith in God» (Mk 11:22).

            There are people that almost never pray and, when they do it, it is with the hope God will solve problems they do not know how to handle themselves. And they justify it with the words from Jesus we have just heard: «Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it shall be done for you» (Mk 11:24). They are right, and it is quite human, understandable and legitimate that, in front of a problem too difficult for us, we trust in God, in a much higher force.
            But we must also add that prayers are “useless” («for your Father knows what you need before you ask him»: Mt 6:8), as long as they do not have a practical and direct utility, as —for instance— switch on a light. We do not receive anything for our prayer, because what we receive from God is grace upon grace.
            Should we, therefore, not pray...? Of course, we should: now that we know that by prayer we obtain the grace, our prayer has become more worthy and valuable: because it is “useless” and it is “costless”. Furthermore, there are three benefits we do receive from the petition prayer: interior peace (to find our friend Jesus and to trust God is relaxing); to mull over a problem, rationalize it, and knowing how to raise it, is to solve half of it; and, in the third place, praying helps us to discern between what is good and what, maybe out of some personal whim, are the actual intentions of our prayers. Then, later on, we shall understand with the eyes of the faith what Jesus says: «Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son» (Jn 14:13)
 
Friday day 8^th Ordinary Time
The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:12–14
This is a very unique and interesting story. The first thing this tells us is that Jesus was fully human. As a man, He was hungry. But this story tells us much more than the simple fact that Jesus was hungry. He would have known that it was not the season for figs to grow, but He decided to look for a fig anyway. And when He found none, He cursed the fig tree and, as we read later in this chapter, the tree withered and died. This was a symbolic action for the sake of His disciples, in that His disciples heard Him curse the tree and later saw that the tree had withered.
Saint Bede, an early Church Father, tells us that this action of Jesus had an allegorical purpose. The tree is symbolic of the many people Jesus encountered, and continues to encounter today, who failed to bear good fruit in their lives. They were the Pharisees and others who practiced their faith only in an external way. The leaves, Saint Bede tells us, were symbolic of the externals of the faith, and the lack of fruit was a symbol of the missing interior fruit of holiness and good works. This lesson tells us that Jesus is very demanding. He is determined to discover good fruit in our lives. He wants us to become authentically holy. And when He finds only the externals, He will rebuke us in love, taking even the externals away.
What good fruit does our Lord want to find in your life? How does He want you to manifestly grow in holiness? Do you go through the motions, attend Mass, say some prayers, but fail to produce an abundance of virtue, compassion, mercy and goodness? Do you say you believe in our Lord but then fail to preach the holy Gospel with both your words and your actions? If our Lord were to come to you, as He came to this fig tree, what would He find?
Being a Christian is not something that is exclusively between you and God. Being a Christian requires that you be so given over to the service of God and others that God is able to do incredible things through you. The Christian faith must produce good fruit in your life and through you in the lives of others. And it must do so in an abundant way.
Reflect, today, upon the holy image of Jesus walking over to this fig tree, inspecting it for a fig. See this tree as an image of your soul and see the hunger in the heart of our Lord. As He looks at you and your life, will He be satiated? Will He find holiness and manifest good works? Or will He find little to nothing other than external claims that you are a Christian? Commit yourself to an abundance of authentic and manifest holiness and our Lord’s hunger will be satiated.
My demanding Lord, You call all Your followers to a holiness that is lived, transforming, manifest and fruitful for Your Kingdom. Help me to be a Christian not only in name but especially in action. May my life truly bear the good fruit of holiness and may that holiness become a means by which You feed the spiritual hunger of Your people. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Friday day 8^th Ordinary Time 2023
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for all the mighty and wondrous things you have done for me as well as for every answered and unanswered prayer. Out of your love for me, you continue to help me to grow in my relationship with you. Give me the wisdom to know what to ask of you and the courage to yield to your will because I know that your will is the best for me. 
Encountering Christ: 
A Temple for Prayer: In this Gospel, we read that Jesus journeyed to the city of Jerusalem and entered the temple there. He was not happy with what he saw. The temple was a sacred space but the people had turned it into a “den of thieves.” By their behavior, they disgraced themselves and offended God. We are also temples of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord has given us the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes so that we can worship God in purity and holiness through our bodies, minds, and souls. If we disgrace ourselves, Jesus has given us the sacrament of reconciliation to restore our temple so that we can once again worship him worthily. 
Prayer Changes You: Jesus used the withered fig tree to teach the Apostles a lesson about faith. “Have faith in God” Jesus says. “Do not doubt.” Pope Francis encouraged us to let everything enter into our dialogue with God—our joys as well as guilt, love as well as suffering, friendship as much as sickness. He added that “everything can become a word spoken to [God] who always listens to us” and that “prayer leaves us in God’s hands.” When we pray in a spirit of faith to the best of our ability, perhaps even pleading “help my unbelief,” God’s grace flows and we are slowly transformed into other Christs.
Forgive Us Our Trespasses: Prayer and forgiveness work hand in hand. The last line of this Gospel passage is similar to a line in the Lord’s Prayer. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Here, we ask God to forgive us the way we forgive others. We need God’s help to forgive others. True and sincere prayer yields love and forgiveness towards our brothers and sisters who have hurt us. It melts our hardened hearts. 
Conversing with Christ: Dear Jesus, thank you for always accompanying me in my joys and sufferings. Lord Jesus, I believe that you can take away my pain, my wounds, and my unforgiveness towards those who have wronged me. Soften my heart and let your love grow in it so I, too, can love those around me without expecting anything in return. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will pray for a friend who needs comfort and peace. 
 
Friday day 8^th Ordinary Time 2022
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for all the mighty and wondrous things you have done for me as well as for every answered and unanswered prayer. Out of your love for me, you continue to help me to grow in my relationship with you. Give me the wisdom to know what to ask of you and the courage to yield to your will because I know that your will is the best for me. 
Encountering Christ: 
A Temple for Prayer: In this Gospel, we read that Jesus journeyed to the city of Jerusalem and entered the temple there. He was not happy with what he saw. The temple was a sacred space but the people had turned it into a “den of thieves.” By their behavior, they disgraced themselves and offended God. We are also temples of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord has given us the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes so that we can worship God in purity and holiness through our bodies, minds, and souls. If we disgrace ourselves, Jesus has given us the sacrament of reconciliation to restore our temple so that we can once again worship him worthily. 
Prayer Changes You: Jesus used the withered fig tree to teach the Apostles a lesson about faith. “Have faith in God” Jesus says. “Do not doubt.” Pope Francis encouraged us to let everything enter into our dialogue with God—our joys as well as guilt, love as well as suffering, friendship as much as sickness. He added that “everything can become a word spoken to [God] who always listens to us” and that “prayer leaves us in God’s hands.” When we pray in a spirit of faith to the best of our ability, perhaps even pleading “help my unbelief,” God’s grace flows and we are slowly transformed into other Christs.
Forgive Us Our Trespasses: Prayer and forgiveness work hand in hand. The last line of this Gospel passage is similar to a line in the Lord’s Prayer. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Here, we ask God to forgive us the way we forgive others. We need God’s help to forgive others. True and sincere prayer yields love and forgiveness towards our brothers and sisters who have hurt us. It melts our hardened hearts. 
Conversing with Christ: Dear Jesus, thank you for always accompanying me in my joys and sufferings. Lord Jesus, I believe that you can take away my pain, my wounds, and my unforgiveness towards those who have wronged me. Soften my heart and let your love grow in it so I, too, can love those around me without expecting anything in return. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will pray for a friend who needs comfort and peace. 
 
Saturday "Who gave you this authority?"
Suy Niệm tin Mừng Thứ Bẩy tuần thứ 8 TN. Mark 11:27-33
Trong trong các Bài Tin Mừng, nhiều trường hợp chúng ta thấy các thầy  thượng tế, các thầy thông giáo và các trưởng lão muốn hạ uy tín của Chúa Giêsu trước mặt mọi người nên nhiều lần họ đã chất vấn Chúa. Họ tìm mọi cách để chứng minh Chúa Giêsu là người “xáo quyệt”, “nói láo”. Vì vậy, họ nghĩ rằng Chúa Giêsu không thể trả lời được câu hỏi của họ đưa ra trong tin mừng hôm nay. họ đã cố tình gài bẫy với câu hỏi lừa bịp của họ, "Ông lấy quyền nào mà làm các điều ấy ?" (Mc 11:27) Họ quá chắc chắn là Chúa Giêsu sẽ  không thể trả lời câu này. Tất nhiên, họ đã sai lầm vì Chúa Giêsu đã hỏi lại họ  một câu hỏi mà họ không thể trả lời được. Dù bằng cách nào câu trả lời của họ cũng sẽ đưa chính họ vào sự thù nghịch với dân chúng.
            Ở đây chúng ta thấy tâm địa  con người của chúng ta có hạn chế. Những người có chức quyền trong xã hội hay lạm dụng kiến thức của mình để đặt những gánh nặng lên những người khác, hay lên dân chúng dưới quyền của họ.  Vì quyền lợi riêng rư,  vì niềm tự hào của họ, họ không thể thừa nhận rằng Chúa Giêsu đã nói nên sự thật về chân lý.
 Đôi khi chúng ta cũng có những hành động như thể,  chúng ta có câu trả lời cho tất cả mọi thứ trong thế giới này. Như các thầy  thượng tế, các thầy thông giáo và các trưởng lão trong thời Chúa Giêsu, chúng ta cũng không nhận ra được là chính quyền thực sự đến từ Thiên Chúa. Chúng ta đôi lúc cũng đã đặt những câu hỏi tương tự về Thiên Chúa với sự hiểu biết nông cạn và hạn chế của chúng ta, chúng ta đã độc tài ra lệnh Ngài nên làm theo ý riêng của chúng ta.
            Chỉ có sự hạ mình và biết khiêm tốn chúng ta mới có thể công nhận được uy quyền của Chúa Giêsu. Và vì thế, Thiên Chúa sẽ không gây ra khó khăn ngăn trở chúng ta tìm hiểu những gì Ngài muốn nơi chúng ta. Ngài đã ban cho chúng ta bộ Kinh Thánh để dạy dỗ, hướng dẫn chúng ta hàng ngày. Nếu chúng ta chịu khó đọc Lời Chúa mỗi ngày, Chúa Thánh Thần sẽ hướng dẫn chúng ta hiểu được công việc và quyên năng của thiên Chúa.. Và  bây gìờ là thời gian mà chúng tôi phải biết rõ  tầm quan trọng cũa việc rao truyền Tin Mừng của Ngài và làm chứng cho quyền lực của Chúa Giêsu trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta.
 
REFLECTION
Members of the religious ruling class ask Jesus by what authority he drove the buyers and sellers out of the Temple. They were hoping to trap him. If he answers, "by my own authority," they will arrest him for causing a disturbance in           God's house. If he says, "by God's  authority," they will accuse him of blasphemy.
            Jesus refuses to answer their question unless they first answer a question he will put to them: "John's baptism, was it from heaven or from man?" They hesitate to answer, for if they say "from heaven,"  the people will ask them why did they not believe in John? If they answer, "from man," they fear the reaction of the people who had great respect for John. The religious authorities refused to do what  they ought to have been doing, discerning what is from God and what          from man. They refused to do this, because they would have to admit the truth. People who refuse to face the truth, in the end get themselves in very tight situations. Whatever they say, they will be denying the truth. The person who faces the truth, however, will be asked to take a stand in defense of the truth as he perceives it, and will, therefore, have the honor of being very Christ-like. For Christ lived by the truth and went to his death in defense of the truth. As he had told others that the truth would make them free, so the truth had set him free, had made him free to choose death rather than falsehood, had made him free to rise again to new life.